As a Grey Face foster, it will be your responsibility to love, feed, play and exercise your foster dog and provide social interaction. You are also required to take the animal to vet appointments and handle any medical tasks such as giving daily medications. Foster care requires treating the animal as if it were your own.
If you are interested in fostering a Grey Face dog, the first step is to fill out a Foster Application (link below). Our foster team will contact you via email to set up a phone interview and a home check. Due to the number of applications we receive, please be patient with us as we sort through your information. We invite you to like our Facebook page and follow our online album for Dogs Needing Foster Homes. There, you can keep watch for a dog you are interested in and you think might be a good fit in your household. If you see one right for you, fill out an application and a team member will be in touch. If all goes well, you will be able to begin your new role as a GFR&R foster!
Start Your
Foster Application Here
View more information about seniors seeking foster care on our Available Dogs page HERE.
Have questions about fostering? Please email our Foster Team at foster@greyfacerescue.org or check out answers to frequently asked questions below. Just click on a question to view its answer.
What is the process of becoming a foster home?
- Set up a phone interview with a foster team member to go over more of our foster requirements. If you have not heard from us within 7-10 days, please email us at foster@greyfacerescue.org. Be patient as our team are volunteers and do work full-time jobs with families, pets of their own and myriad other commitments.
- Check your provided references, both personal and vet clinic. Please let any references, INCLUDING THE VET CLINIC you cite, know we will be calling, as this is the most common area where the process slows down.
- Schedule a home visit with one of of our volunteers. If we have any concerns about the home or environment where the dog will be, we may ask for more information at this time.
- Send you our handbook and our foster contract, both of which must be reviewed and the contract signed and returned before we can match a dog to your home.
Which dogs need a foster home?
Dogs listed as needing fosters in our main Grey Face Facebook page album are also posted in our Dogs Needing Fosters Facebook group.
Do I get to choose which dog I foster?
We try to match a foster dog to the best home and living situation for the dog. If you prefer a particular size dog, energy level or breed, or if you need a dog that is good with children or other pets, we do our best to meet that criteria.
How much will it cost to foster a dog?
There is minimal cost to the foster. Grey Face Rescue pays the cost of all veterinary care, food, and other supplies the dog may need.
How long does it take for a dog to get adopted?
We cannot make any promises regarding how long a particular dog will be in your home. Please consider this carefully before applying to foster, as we make very effort to avoid moving a dog repeatedly so we don't create more stress on the animal.
Will I be involved in choosing the dog’s new owner?
We have found that foster homes are the best judge of what kind of home is the best fit for their foster dog’s particular needs. You will be involved in the screening process of potential adopters so we can find the best home for the dog.
Can I adopt my foster dog?
Yes! We definitely allow this. We ask that foster homes let us know immediately of their decision to adopt their foster dog, as we may need to contact other in-process applicants. We also require foster homes to submit an adoption application, which may be processed, to determine if you are a suitable home for adopting the dog. Foster homes are also required to pay the usual adoption fee.
What Requirements must I meet to Foster a dog?
To be a Grey Face foster, you must:
- Live in Minnesota. We are a 100% volunteer-run organization and distance from our St. Cloud base is a factor in how quickly we can process your application. We consider applicants from throughout the state, but if you live outside a 30-mile radius from St. Cloud, please allow us a bit more time to get to you!
- Have all current animals in the home up to date on vaccinations and spayed or neutered. Exceptions may be made for medical reasons as stated by a veterinarian and we will require proof of that recommendation. Thank you for understanding our mission to reduce overpopulation.
- Be patient! You are required to give your foster dog 72 hours to adjust prior to "giving up." Snapping and biting situations are exceptions. Some dogs may also be adopted quicker than others, but we promise to work hard for all of them to find the perfect forever home!
- Attend at least one adoption event a month.
- Have your foster animal on a leash when outside at ALL times, unless you have a fenced-in yard.
- Exercise your foster pet adequately. Foster dogs are expected to have daily walks.
- Be willing to drive your foster pet to vet appointments at one of the approved vet clinics we work with in the St. Cloud and/or Twin Cities area.
- Give your foster pet medication if needed, on time and in the correct dose.
- Post weekly updates and photos to our Facebook Foster Community, including the dog's likes, dislikes and behaviors. Be willing to also share photos of the dog interacting in your home on your personal social media accounts.
- Supervise your foster pet at all times. When no one is at home, the dog should be baby-gated or crated if needed for safety.
- Your home needs to be adequately cleaned and prepared for your foster. We may deny your application to foster at any point if we feel your home is not prepared for your foster.