VETERINARY PROCESS
FOSTER REQUESTS
APPROVED LEADERSHIP TEAM MEMBERS
EUTHANASIA PROTOCOL
DOG CARE
CAT CARE
PARTNER VET CLINICS
PARTNER CLINICS MUST HAVES
HEARTWORM TREATMENT PLAN
MICROCHIPPING
Care for senior animals can be costly and although we take pride in the care that we provide for our seniors, at some point we have to find a stopping point. When considering the veterinary care we provide, we consider the following:
The quality of life
Their age
The condition(s)
Cost of medication/treatment/surgery
Grey Face Rescue Veterinary Process
Est. August 2025
Animal enters rescue. The intake team will create RG profile, add to Master Spreadsheet and upload veterinary records.
Vetting Manager reviews veterinary records, creates RVO and if a veterinary appointment is needed, a request is sent to Vet Scheduling Coordinator.
Vet Scheduling Coordinator will contact foster to schedule.
Vet Scheduling Coordinator will send vet form with appointment date, time and details in two separate emails.
First: to the foster family.
Second: to the clinic, Foster Managers, Records Coordinator and Veterinary Manager.Vet Scheduling Coordinator will make a note in the Animal Master Spreadsheet & make red.
Steps 2-5 will repeat if additional appointments are needed.
Following each appointment or prior to adoption, Records Coordinator will request veterinary records from partner veterinary clinics. Records are uploaded to RG + appointment notes will be removed from the Animal Master Spreadsheet.
Vetting Manager to review + update RVO.
Foster Requests
A Foster Request Form is submitted.
Foster Manager will review + forward accordingly:
Vet Requests: If it can’t be solved by resources in the Rescue Resource, request is forwarded to vetting@greyfacerescue.org.
Medication Refills: Forwarded to vetteam@greyfacerescue.org
Behavior: If it can’t be solved by resources in the Rescue Resource, request is forwarded to bethieg@greyfacerescue.org.
APPROVED LEADERSHIP TEAM MEMBERS
The following individuals can schedule appointments, reorder medications, and request veterinary records.
Bethie Gondeck (bethieg@greyfacerescue.org)
Kate Cuthbert (vetting@greyfacerescue.org)
Marjorie Nelson (vetteam@greyfacerescue.org)
Kenna Tveit (foster@greyfacerescue.org)
* Foster families have permission to schedule booster appointments for vaccinations such as distemper.
The following individual can request veterinary records.
Bethie Gondeck (bethieg@greyfacerescue.org)
Kate Cuthbert (vetting@greyfacerescue.org)
Marjorie Nelson (vetteam@greyfacerescue.org)
Kenna Tveit (foster@greyfacerescue.org)
Theresa Yahr (records@greyfacerescue.org)
*If possible, we would love for veterinary records to be sent following appointment to the email above.
Invoices + receipt sent to
Bethie Gondeck (bethieg@greyfacerescue.org
Additional approval during the appointment, contact Bethie at 952-261-7178.
Grey Face Rescue will not cover services requested by the foster family not included in the vet forms prior to the appointment.
Euthansia Protocol
Grey Face Rescue requests group cremation and a paw print for the foster family.
Partner Clinics
We utilize the following clinics (you MUST be able to bring your foster to one of the following clinics for care):
Advanced Pet Hospital (acph.tech@gmail.com)
Pet Central Animal Hospital (frontdesk@petcentralanimalhospital.com)
Dog Care
Dogs at Grey Face Rescue receive the following care prior to adoption:
Exam
Rabies
Distemper
4dx test to check for heartworm or tick exposure
Heartworm and flea/tick preventative (tentatively April - October)
Spay/neuter
Microchip (if possible prior to adoption)
We do microchipping at our facility in St. Cloud. If fosters are unable to bring their foster to Grey Face prior to adoption, we will invite adopters to our free microchip clinics.
Cat Care
Grey Face cats receive the following care prior to adoption:
Exam
Rabies vaccination
Distemper vaccination
FIV test
Spay/neuter
Microchip (if possible before adoption)
Partner Clinic Must Haves
In order for a clinic to become an approved clinic with Grey Face Rescue, they must offer the following:
15% discount (or more) on all surgeries, services and treatments
At-cost vaccinations, 4DX test and fecal testing
Ability to invoice via email and accept mailed-in payment OR keep a card of file
Heartworm Treatment
Heartworm disease or dirofilariasis is a serious and potentially fatal disease. It is caused by a blood-borne parasite known as Dirofilaria immitis.
Adult heartworms are found in the heart, pulmonary artery, and adjacent large blood vessels of infected dogs. Rarely, worms may be found in other parts of the circulatory system. Female worms are 6 - 14" long (15 - 36cm) and 1/8" wide (3 mm). Males are about half the size of females. One dog may have as many as 300 worms present when diagnosed.
"Adult heartworms are found in the heart, pulmonary artery and adjacent large blood vessels of infected dogs."
Adult heartworms may live up to five years. During this time, females produce millions of offspring called microfilaria. These microfilariae live mainly in the small vessels of the bloodstream.
HOW IS HEARTWORM DISEASE SPREAD?
Since transmission requires the mosquito as an intermediate host, the disease is not spread directly from dog to dog. Spread of the disease therefore coincides with mosquito season, which can last year-round in many parts of the United States. The number of dogs infected and the length of the mosquito season are directly correlated with the incidence of heartworm disease in any given area.
TREATMENT PROCESS
January 1
- Doxycycline (4-weeks)
- Heartworm Preventative
February 1
- Heartworm Preventative
March 1
- Heartworm Preventative
- Administer first melarsomine injection
- Prescribe prednisone
April 1
- Heartworm Preventative
- Administer second melarsomine injection
- Prescribe prednisone
April 2
- Administer third melarsomine injection
May 2
- Test for HW
If the dog is negative for heartworm, they are now available for adoption. If the test is positive, they will need another injection, as well as, round of prednisone and tested in 30-days. Dogs should receive heartworm prevention monthly post-adoption, as well as, test for heartworm after 6-months.
It is crucial that the dog’s activity be limited during the treatment process. Additional information can be found here.
DETERMINING DENTAL CARE
At Grey Face Rescue, we recognize the importance of dental health in the overall well-being of the animals in our care. While we strive to address the dental needs of all our senior dogs and cats, the financial commitment required for widespread dental procedures limits our ability to do so in every case.
Our policy is to prioritize dental care for animals diagnosed with Stage 4 dental disease. This is the most severe form of periodontal disease and often requires urgent intervention to alleviate pain, infection, and systemic health risks.
We do not provide dentals cleanings.
Veterinary Documentation
If a veterinary form clearly notes Stage 4 dental disease, we will move forward with scheduling appropriate dental care.
When Dental Stage is Not Documented
If the dental stage is not listed on veterinary records:
We may request a follow-up evaluation through one of our partner veterinarians.
We may ask the foster caregiver to provide clear photos and additional information about the animal’s mouth to help us determine next steps.
Our goal is to ensure that those with the greatest need receive care, while also making the most responsible use of our resources.
Signs You Can Observe at Home
While you can't confirm the need for extractions yourself, certain symptoms strongly suggest dental disease:
Visible Symptoms:
Bad breath (persistent halitosis)
Discolored or loose teeth
Red, bleeding, or swollen gums
Visible tartar build-up
Pus near the gumline
Exposed tooth roots
Behavioral Changes:
Difficulty eating or chewing
Dropping food while eating
Pawing at the mouth
Reduced interest in chew toys
Crying out or growling when the mouth is touched
Behavior changes (e.g. irritability, hiding)
Veterinary Dental Examination
A veterinarian can perform a detailed oral exam, and if needed, a sedated dental assessment with x-rays to check below the gumline—where most problems are hidden.
They’ll look for:
Fractured or dead teeth
Severe periodontal disease (stage 4)
Tooth resorption
Abscesses or bone loss
Mobile (loose) teeth
Euthanasia Protocol
At Grey Face Rescue, we are committed to ensuring a peaceful and dignified end-of-life process for our animals. Below are important details regarding euthanasia and aftercare:
Euthanasia Procedures
Location: All euthanasias must be performed at one of Grey Face Rescue's approved partner veterinary clinics.
Note: We do not cover the cost of in-home euthanasia or services provided by clinics outside of our partner list.
Aftercare & Ashes
We provide group cremation for all animals.
This means ashes will not be returned to the foster family.
Clay Paw Print
A clay paw print is made in memory of each pet.
Foster families are welcome to pick up the paw print from the clinic once it is ready.
Leading up to and following the euthanasia appointment, foster families will work directly with our Rainbow Bridge Coordinator who will provide the following:
Reach out to foster families before and after the passing of their foster animal to offer support and a listening ear.
Assist families in preparing for euthanasia appointments, providing emotional support and guidance when needed.
Coordinate and send small remembrance gifts (e.g., sympathy cards, memorial tokens) on behalf of the organization.
Maintain a respectful record of animals who have crossed the Rainbow Bridge to help the organization track aftercare outreach.
Work closely with leadership to identify additional ways to support grieving foster families.
DETERMINING HOSPICE
Determining if a dog or cat is in need of hospice care involves evaluating their overall quality of life, prognosis, and whether curative treatments are no longer effective or appropriate. Hospice care focuses on comfort, pain management, and emotional support at the end of life.
Here’s how to assess if your pet may be ready for hospice care:
1. Medical Diagnosis
Hospice is appropriate when:
Your pet has a terminal illness (e.g. cancer, organ failure, end-stage heart disease).
There are no more curative treatment options, or you choose to stop aggressive treatment due to side effects or low success rates.
The condition is progressive and irreversible.
Quality of Life Assessment
Veterinarians often use tools like the H5M2 Scale or Quality of Life (QoL) scales. Some common signs that a pet may need hospice include:
Symptom: Description
Pain: Uncontrolled pain despite medication
Appetite Loss: Refusing food for more than a day or two
Mobility Issues: Trouble standing, walking, or controlling bladder/bowels
Breathing Problems: Labored or shallow breathing, frequent coughing
Hygiene: Can't groom or maintain cleanliness
Incontinence: Ongoing urine or fecal accidents
Behavioral Changes: Withdrawal, aggression, confusion, or disorientation
Interest Loss: No longer responds to favorite toys, people, or surroundings
Many pet owners use a daily journal to track changes and decline.
3. Emotional Signs
The pet seems “tired of trying”
Shows lack of joy or engagement
Hides, isolates, or seems emotionally detached
4. Veterinarian Consultation
A vet can:
Evaluate your pet’s condition and explain prognosis
Help manage symptoms like pain, nausea, or anxiety
Recommend whether hospice or euthanasia may be appropriate
5. When to Choose Hospice Over Euthanasia
You’re committed to managing pain and comfort at home
Your pet still has some good days or moments
You prefer a natural death with support, unless suffering becomes severe
Next Steps
Use a Quality of Life Scale (e.g., from Lap of Love or Ohio State Vet Med)
Set “red lines” (e.g., no eating for 3 days, unable to walk) that would prompt re-evaluation
Arrange a hospice plan + send Hospice Program Welcome Email.
Hospice Program Welcome Email
Welcome to the Grey Face Rescue Hospice Program! You are receiving this email because your foster is considered hospice.
What does hospice mean? Here is a list of reasons your foster may be considered hospice:
Minimal life expectancy due to a medical condition.
Age, depending on veterinary conditions, an animal 16 years+ may enter our hospice program.
Inability to adjust to new surroundings.
As a member of our hospice program, Grey Face Rescue will continue to provide supplies, food and medications needed for your hospice foster to live a good quality of life until it’s their time to cross the Rainbow Bridge.
We do offer foster families the option to adopt their hospice foster and we waive the adoption fee.
We often get asked what the difference is, here’s a list of positives and negatives to both remaining a hospice foster or adopting your hospice animal.
Remaining a Hospice Foster
+ Supplies, medications and food provided by Grey Face Rescue
+ Cover the expense of the euthanasia appointment.
- Grey Face Rescue will make the final decision on when it is time to euthanize.
- Grey Face Rescue only euthanizes at partner veterinary clinics. We do not cover the costs of in-home euthanasias or clinics outside of our partner list.
- No continuing care. Animals will only receive a veterinary appointment for minor healing concerns. We will not provide surgeries or extensive treatments.
- We choose group cremation therefore foster families will not receive ashes, however, we do provide a clay paw print that foster families are asked to pick up when ready at the clinic.
Adopting Your Hospice Foster
+ Freedom to choose how and when you euthanasia.
+ Waived adoption fee.
+ Control of veterinary decisions
- Financial responsibility of supplies, food and medications.
- Financial responsibility of euthanasia appointment.
How to know when it’s time to say goodbye
Quality of life is important when it comes to our hospice animals. We want them to leave this earth with dignity, knowing love and make it a positive experience until their last moments. We try our best to make this decision prior to it becoming an emergency to avoid their final moments being filled with stress.
No longer can stand, walk, go outside to use the bathroom on their own, peeing on themselves.
Labored breathing, tongue turning purple, gums are more white than pink.
No longer enjoy eating or refusing to eat or drink.
A mass is interrupting their ability to walk, comfortably lay down and affect their quality of life.
An infection we are unable to manage and/or cure that is affecting their quality of life.
If your foster passes in your home, we ask that you bring the body to a partner veterinary clinic.
If you choose to continue to be a hospice foster with Grey Face Rescue, please send us 5-6 sentences describing your foster animal. What makes them special? What do you love most about them?
We will also make an Amazon Wishlist for your hospice foster. Please, send 5-7 items for your hospice that will make their remaining time here on earth special. This could be the type of food they eat, special treats, a new bed, supplements, etc. If it is something specific, please include details. We cannot guarantee that all items will be fulfilled, however, we will promote as much as possible. Items purchased off the Wishlist will be shipped directly to your home.
Information about your hospice fosters and others in this program can be found on our website here.
If you choose to adopt, we ask that you fill out an adoption application. When it asks you to choose an animal, choose any but in the next line include in the note “adopting my hospice animal (include name).” Once received, our Adoption Manager will send the adoption contract.
Whether you choose to adopt or continue to foster within our hospice program, we appreciate you! To care for a hospice animal takes a very special person but it means the world to the animal you are caring for.