Marty’s Story

Marty Clauw was a man with a heart of gold, and a huge passion for animals. Marty carried this passion for animals his entire life but took it to the extreme when he began his menagerie in 2007. He was the owner of Elegant Jewelers in Shelby Township, and used his “day job” to fund his real love, his hobby farm. He began acquiring animals and building a sanctuary to house them all at his home in Bruce Township. Marty started off simple, but continuously added to the farm where he saw fit. He took in many animals from rescue situations, and hunting ranches and provided them with a better life than they would have ever received elsewhere. Marty’s Place is now home to several species including elk, deer, bison, goats, sheep, German Shepherds, peacocks, turkeys, quail, pheasants, swans, ducks, geese, and various wild waterfowl. Marty thoroughly loved to share his property with anyone he met. He dreamed of turning it into a non-profit sanctuary, and even making it accessible for people with disabilities. Anyone in Bruce Township knew Marty as the guy who always had multiple dogs hanging out the window of his vehicle as he drove, and anyone in Shelby Township knew him as the only one business owner that always had some sort of baby animal running through the store. He was also the only man to sell engagement rings, but offer for the buyer to “take home a dog and see how they like that first”. Aside from his jewelry business and his farm, he was also quite active with missionary work in Kenya, Africa. He made many friends in this country, just as he did at home. Sadly, Marty passed away from a car accident on his third trip to Kenya. He took a piece of our hearts with him, but he left behind his most valuable possession for us to treasure, his animals.

There is a Kenyan saying that declares as long as you are remembered after your death, and your memory is helping and inspiring people, you are not dead.  Marty's spirit -- what a spirit -- will live on forever.