FOSTER PROGRAM

Foster volunteers are the heart of our program – we couldn't do what we do without these dedicated hands. As a Grey Face foster, it will be your responsibility to love, feed, play and exercise your foster animal but most importantly, give them a second chance.

We do not limit our fosters to living within a certain radius to our main office in St. Cloud, MN, however, we do require that all of our fosters come to St. Cloud to pick up their foster animal and use one of our approved veterinary clinics in either: Minneapolis, St. Paul, Woodbury or Sartell.

FOSTER APPLICATION HERE

Approving + Denying animal Fosters

The process for approving and denying foster applications may differ between dogs and cats, please see the process below for changes.

Any notes & email communication can be added to the Journal Entry feature of their contact (Type: Foster Application).
If the applicant no longer wants to move forward with the process at any time, cancel the application in RescueGroups.

  • Application Received & Reviewed (All applications filled out on our website go directly to Rescue Groups under Submitted Forms)

    • Automatic NO (send denial email)

      • Resident animals are not spayed/neutered (unless they have a note from a veterinarian)

      • Resident animals are not UTD on vaccinations

      • If they do not allow us to confirm their animals are spay/neutered and UTD on vaccinations

      • Do not live in Minnesota

      • Do not have permission from their landlord to foster (if renting)

      • If they have been convicted of a felony in the last five years

      • If the dog will sleep/stay in the garage and/or outdoors

      • If they do not have homeowners or renters insurance

      • Will not allow a Grey Face member to do a home visit

When reviewing application, ensure it portrays a good quality foster! We want foster families that are willing to foster many animals within our program. We want to see they are putting the effort into the answer of the application. If not, feel free to ask more questions!

  • If moving forward with the application, change RescueGroups (RG) status to ‘Under Review’

  • Send FOSTER; Received App email template within RG.

  • Contact vet references + add notes under the Journal Entry section in their Rescue Groups contact. (See vet reference guide)

  • Contact personal references + add notes under the Journal Entry section in their Rescue Groups contact. (See personal reference guide)

  • Complete Background check

    • Automatic NO (send denial email)

      • Felony within 10 years

      • ANY animal abuse

      • ANY domestic abuse

      • ANY sexual assault

      • ANY animal fighting

  • Update applicant once references have been completed by sending FOSTER; References Check email template within RG

    • If you are unable to get ahold of references, update applicants so they are able to reach out to them. You must hear from all references prior to moving forward.

    • If you receive information from a reference that makes you believe the applicant would not be a good candidate to foster, contact Bethie with how to move forward.

  • Interview applicant  (See vet reference guide)

    • We have many volunteers willing to complete interviews. Review the Volunteer Master Spreadsheet, email volunteers interested in interviews.

    • Email etiquette: only email 5-7 at a time, clear and to the point subject line and reply all when it has been fulfilled to let all volunteers know.

    • Email template, “Hello Volunteers,

      Is anyone available to interview a potential new foster? We ask for this to be completed within 1-3 days. Attached is an interview guide to follow and worksheet with questions to ask during the interview process making it an easy process.

      Please, fill out the worksheet during the interview process, save and return to me. Thank you so much!”
      Attach interview worksheet + guide.

  • Upload interview worksheet to contact’s RescueGroups contact profile.

  • RescueGroups status ‘Waiting On Home Visit’

  • Send FOSTER; Home Check email template through RG

  • Once the home visit is complete, upload the completed home visit photos to applicants RescueGroups contact profile.

  • Send Dog Foster Agreement or Cat Foster Agreement via DocuSign.

  • Once reviewed and signed, download documents and upload to their contact profile in RescueGroups.

  • RescueGroups status ‘Approved to Foster’

  • Send FOSTER (DOG); Training Materials or FOSTER (CAT); Training Materials.

  • Once the foster has signed the training materials and their information has populated to the Master Spreadsheet, they are officially approved to foster.

    There is a small form at the bottom of each of the training materials that they will be required to fill out. That information will go directly to the appropriate master spreadsheets.

  • Add contact to ‘2024 Dog Foster’’ or “2024 Cat Foster” and ‘Army’ Group in RG

  • Welcome + tag them in the Grey Face Facebook Army Group to welcome them

  • Send email template FOSTER (CAT): Approved or FOSTER (DOG); Approved.

  • Update status of application to Approved.

QUICKLINKS

Animal Master Spreadsheet

  • We can only accept dogs into our organization if we have a foster home available. If our cat condos are filled, we can only accept cats if a foster home is available.

    Once an animal is brought to the attention of our Intake Team, they will follow their process and then seek a foster family for the animal. Here are the resources our team can use to find a foster family:

    Grey Face Rescue Army Facebook Group

    “FOSTER NEEDED!!
    Name, Age, Breed

    Short paragraph about why they are being surrendered.

    Dogs:

    Cats:

    Kids:

    Health Concerns:

    If you are able to foster this animal, please contact (email address).”

    We always suggest including 1-2 photos of the animal - it draws attention to your post. Our Army Group includes approved fosters and volunteers so ensure they are approved to foster in RG (under their contact, check ‘submitted forms’ to see if they submitted a foster or volunteer application).

    Grey Face Rescue Senior Animal Crew Facebook Group

    This group includes members NOT approved to foster through our organization so they will need to fill out an application prior to being approved or receiving the animal.

    “FOSTER NEEDED!!

    Name, Age, Breed

    Short paragraph about why they are being surrendered.

    Dogs:

    Cats:

    Kids:

    Health Concerns:

    If you are able to foster this animal, please apply to become an approved foster with Grey Face Rescue here: http://www.greyfacerescue.org/foster”

    We always suggest including 1-2 photos of the animal - it draws attention to your post.

    Rescue Groups

    Making the animal live on our website can draw attention to them and hopefully find a foster family. Next to their name include “FOSTER NEEDED” and make the animal AVAILABLE. In the description portion, use the same post content from the Senior Animal Crew Facebook Group. The animals will be viewed on our website, AdoptAPet and Petfinder.

    Tips to finding a foster:

    • Retrieve as much information as possible. How they are with kids, cats, dogs and if they are potty-trained are usually the main questions asked by prospective fosters.

    • Get quality photos.

    • Add urgency to your post.

    • Be persistent.

  • EMERGENCY PHONE NUMBER (320) 248-5721 (this line goes directly to Bethie)

  • Prior to bringing home their first foster animal, fosters are expected to read through and watch all information provided to them in the Rescue Resource.

    Fosters are expected to give their new foster animal 3 days to adjust to their surroundings.

    We encourage foster families to refrain from introducing their foster animal to other animals in the home until the foster animal is comfortable.

  • Fosters are responsible for bringing their foster to and from their vet appointments. If they are unable to, they can fill out the Foster Request Form requesting assistance with transportation.

    Fosters are able to submit a Foster Request Form if they feel their foster need veterinary attention. When submitting a Foster Request Form, that doesn’t guarantee that their foster will require an appointment with a partner vet clinic. Some situations can be solved by reviewing the Health & Vet Care section of the Rescue Resource or brought to our facility to be seen by a volunteer Vet Tech.

    Grey Face Rescue will only pay for veterinary services approved by the Vetting Manager. Fosters are not allowed to request additional services at appointments.

    If a foster is asked to pick up a medication from a pharmacy, they are able to submit their receipts to foster@greyfacerescue.org and will be reimbursed. Reimbursements are given at the beginning of each month.

    Grey Face Rescue will provide any prescription food needed for dogs in our care. We ask that fosters give us a 7 day heads up so we can seek donations.

  • We do not buy food specific to what the dog is currently eating - we only utilize the food that has been donated to us. Often times, fosters will have to change foods so we ask they pick up their new food 7 days prior for the foster to easily transition.

    Foster families are expected to pick up supplies at our facility during our open hours. If they are unable to or farther than 30 miles away, you can post for transport of supplies in the Facebook Army Group in hopes someone can meet you.

    If fosters are unable to drive to our facility, we can reach out to the following partners to seek donations:

    Secondhand Hounds

    Animal Humane Society (Golden Valley)

    Local Pet Stores

    Volunteers within Grey Face Rescue also keep supplies at their homes.

    We have plenty of resources in the Twin Cities - post in the Leadership Facebook Group or in SLACK for assistance.

  • There will be times where our foster animals are in desperate need of a spa day! We have a few resources to utilize that can get the grooming donated to our animals.

    Post in the Army Group - we have several volunteer groomers. Include a picture of the animal, location and suggested timeframe.

    Post in Volunteer Grooming Minnesota Facebook group - this group is filled with groomers throughout Minnesota that are willing to volunteer their time to groom animals in rescue.

  • If a foster is heading out of town or on vacation, their foster animal MUST stay with an approved foster family. Our first option is temp fostering as we want to avoid boarding. First and foremost, post in the Army Facebook Group.

    “TEMP FOSTER NEEDED!!

    Name, Age, Breed

    Short paragraph about why they are needing temp fostering, good qualities, etc.

    Dogs:

    Cats:

    Kids:

    Health Concerns:

    Medications:

    If you are able to temp foster this animal, please contact (email address).”

  • If the animal is fully vetted and not expecting any future appointments, they can receive their profile questions after 2-days of being in rescue. If the foster is witnessing behavioral concerns, those should be addressed prior to being available on the website.

    See Dog and Cat Profiles Templates under Resources.

  • At times, unfortunately, we have to remove foster families from our program. It’s tough but these decisions are made with the best interest of the animals in mind. We understand wholeheartedly that fostering can be difficult and down right frustrating but that’s why it is so rewarding! We take in animals that would otherwise cross the rainbow bridge and give them a second chance at a forever family. In some cases, that comes with some struggles.

    In order to help our families, we have created tools and resources for our fosters to utilize to make the experience of fostering easier. This portal is filled with resources and content, as well as, our Facebook Army Group which is to be used to connect with other foster families when needing advice or encouragement. We also partner with the best veterinary practices that continue to work hard to provide care for our animals.

    Reasons for removal:

    Not providing proper care to your foster animal.

    Not responding to communication efforts made by the Grey Face Team.

    Breaking of confidentiality

    Failure to adhere to policies or follow procedures

    Inactivity

    Inappropriate drug or alcohol use

    Inappropriate or unprofessional conduct during your time of fostering. We ask that all fosters show professionalism during events, interviews, meet and greets.

    Excessive “no-show”or cancelations of veterinary appointments.

    Misrepresentation of Grey Face Rescue & Retirement

    Theft and/or not returning all supplies that is the property of Grey Face Rescue.

    Violence or implication of violence.

    Requesting removal of an animal for convenience.

    Leaving your foster in the care of an unapproved foster family.

    Depending on the situation, fosters will be either become inactive for 30 days or removed completely from our program.

    We truly hope that the relationship with our foster families never has to result in removal but we have to make the best decisions for our animals and their care. We hope when that decision is made the family respects it and we continue to move forward.