Understanding how Grey Face Rescue operates is essential to effectively promoting our mission. It's not only important to know our founding story and purpose, but also to be familiar with key information and resources that will support you throughout your time with the organization.
ADDRESS + PHONE NUMBER
NON-PROFIT STATUS/EIN
MISSION STATEMENT
OUR STORY
WHAT WE DO
PROGRAMS
ADDRESS + PHONE NUMBER
MAILING ADDRESS
PO Box 7072
St. Cloud, MN 56302
OUR OFFICE
30593 Pearl Drive, Suite 1,
St. Joe, MN 56374
*Most often, our Grey Face Rescue Gives Trailer is outside the front of our office giving guests a landmark to look for.
PHONE
(320) 224-6156
This phone is located in our office and checked Mondays and Wednesdays when volunteers are in the office.
NON-PROFIT STATE/EIN
Our EIN number is 47-5085171.
501(c)3 IRS Paperwork
ST-19 (use physical location for address)
Insurance through: Alliance of Nonprofits for Insurance, NAIC#10023
MISSION STATEMENT
Our Mission Statement, “Grey Face Rescue strives to educate and strengthen the bond between families and pets to avert the need for rescue in later years. If rescue is needed, we provide exceptional care to ensure all animals are respected and valued and that they live with comfort and dignity through foster, hospice, and adoption programs.”
OUR STORY
Grey Face Rescue & Retirement was founded in October 2015 by Executive Director and Founder, Bethie Gondeck. The inspiration came from a deeply personal experience involving her Great Uncle LaVerne’s beloved dog, Barnabee.
When LaVerne had to move into an assisted living facility, he was heartbroken to learn that Barnabee couldn’t come with him due to weight restrictions. Barnabee, a 13-year-old farm dog, had never been kenneled and had only been on a leash once a year for vet visits. He had lived his life roaming freely among cattle and chickens—gentle, loyal, and deeply loved.
Knowing how traumatizing a shelter environment would be for a senior dog like Barnabee, the family feared he would be euthanized due to stress and anxiety—a sadly common practice at the time (though this has improved significantly in recent years). The idea of that fate for such a perfect dog was unimaginable.
At just 23 years old, Bethie and her then-fiancé (now husband) made a life-changing decision: they bought a home and welcomed Barnabee into it. He lived there for three more wonderful years—loved, safe, and surrounded by family—until he peacefully crossed the Rainbow Bridge at 16 years old, reuniting with Uncle LaVerne in heaven.
This experience lit a spark in Bethie’s heart. She saw a need—a desperate one—for senior animals like Barnabee to have a second chance at life outside of shelters. A chance to live out their final years in comfort, dignity, and love.
That’s why Grey Face Rescue was created.
Today, we provide loving foster homes and hospice care for senior dogs, especially those with limited life expectancies. We aim to offer peace of mind to families faced with heartbreaking decisions and ensure no senior animal is left behind.
Grey Face Rescue exists to give senior dogs a second chance—and we are proud to carry Barnabee’s legacy forward with every life we save.
WHAT WE DO
At Grey Face Rescue & Retirement, we are committed to giving senior animals—age 7 and older—the loving second chance they so deeply deserve. We welcome all seniors into our rescue and hospice care programs, regardless of breed, medical condition, behavior, or background. To us, every senior life matters.
Our dedicated team of volunteers works tirelessly to place each senior in a nurturing foster home where they receive personalized, compassionate care. We also seek out extraordinary adopters who understand the unique needs of aging pets and are ready to offer them forever homes filled with comfort, dignity, and love.
Because in their golden years, every senior deserves peace, care, and a place to call home.
PROGRAMS
Hospice Program
At Grey Face Rescue & Retirement, we believe that every senior dog deserves to live—and leave—this life knowing unconditional love. Our Hospice Program is specially designed for senior dogs with limited life expectancies—those who might otherwise face euthanasia simply due to age or illness, through no fault of their own.
We take pride in rescuing dogs from humane euthanasia lists, offering them a second chance to experience joy, comfort, and companionship—sometimes for just days or weeks, and sometimes for months or even years. We see these moments not as endings, but as opportunities to show these animals what it means to be cherished.
Through this program, our hospice dogs receive:
Compassionate, high-quality medical care
Cozy orthopedic beds and warm blankets
Their favorite tasty treats
And yes—a few trips to their favorite fast-food spots
It’s all about making their final chapter one of love, dignity, and happiness. Every senior in our care deserves to cross the Rainbow Bridge feeling safe, comfortable, and deeply loved.
Gives Program
Grey Face Gives is a community-focused program created by Grey Face Rescue with one goal: to support pet owners in need by providing essential supplies—like pet food, toys, and care items—free of charge.
“Grey Face Rescue strives to educate and strengthen the bond between families and pets to avert the need for rescue in later years.”
By offering this support, we aim to reduce the number of pets surrendered to shelters and help families keep their beloved animals where they belong—at home.