Foster Program Overview

The Foster Program is the foundation of Grey Face Rescue. Because we do not operate a traditional shelter facility, foster families make it possible for us to save senior animals by opening their homes and hearts to animals in need. Every foster home provides safety, stability, compassion, and a second chance for animals waiting to find their forever families.

Fosters are more than temporary caregivers — they are essential members of the rescue team. Through daily care, socialization, observation, advocacy, and love, foster families help prepare animals for successful adoption while providing valuable insight into each animal’s personality, behavior, and needs.

Why Foster Homes Matter

Grey Face Rescue can only save as many animals as we have committed foster homes available for. Many of the animals entering rescue come from difficult circumstances, including medical neglect, owner surrender, overcrowded shelters, or situations where euthanasia is imminent.

Foster homes allow animals to:

  • Decompress in a safe home environment

  • Receive medical care and recovery support

  • Learn routines and structure

  • Gain confidence and socialization

  • Be properly evaluated for adoption placement

  • Experience love, comfort, and stability

Without fosters, many senior animals would not have the opportunity for a second chance.

Becoming a Foster

All foster families must complete the Grey Face Rescue foster approval process prior to welcoming an animal into their home.

The approval process includes:

  • Foster application

  • Interview process

  • Background check

  • Home visit

  • Foster orientation and training

Applicants must:

  • Be at least 18 years old

  • Have landlord approval if renting

  • Ensure resident pets are current on vaccinations

  • Have resident dogs over six months of age spayed or neutered unless medically exempt

  • Agree to use approved Grey Face veterinary clinics

  • Be willing to transport foster animals to appointments and events

Grey Face Rescue works with foster families throughout Minnesota. While there is no strict location radius requirement, foster families must be willing to pick up foster animals in St. Cloud and utilize approved veterinary partners in the Twin Cities and Sartell areas.

Foster Responsibilities

Foster families are responsible for providing safe, loving, and structured temporary care for their foster animals.

Responsibilities include:

  • Feeding, exercise, enrichment, and daily care

  • Supervising foster animals at all times

  • Assisting with socialization and behavioral observation

  • Transporting foster animals to veterinary appointments

  • Administering medications as directed

  • Maintaining communication with the rescue team

  • Attending adoption events when requested

  • Providing weekly updates, photos, and behavioral information

  • Helping promote their foster animal for adoption through social media and networking

Fosters are expected to allow newly placed animals at least 72 hours to decompress and adjust before expressing concerns unrelated to safety.

Foster families are also encouraged to introduce new foster animals slowly and thoughtfully to resident pets to reduce stress and improve successful transitions.

Veterinary Care & Medical Support

Grey Face Rescue covers approved veterinary expenses for animals in foster care, including:

  • Vaccinations

  • Spay/neuter procedures

  • Diagnostics and medical treatment

  • Prescription medications

  • Emergency veterinary care

  • Prescription diets when medically necessary

All veterinary care must be approved through Grey Face Rescue’s Vetting Team. Foster families may not authorize additional services independently.

Fosters are responsible for transporting animals to and from veterinary appointments whenever possible. If transportation assistance is needed, fosters may request support through the Foster Request Form or volunteer transportation network.

Supplies & Support

Grey Face Rescue provides foster animals with food, medications, crates, leashes, collars, and other donated supplies as available.

Because the organization relies heavily on donations:

  • Food brands may vary

  • Supply availability may fluctuate

  • Foster families may occasionally need to transition foods gradually

Fosters can pick up supplies from the rescue office or coordinate transportation assistance through volunteer networks and the organization's social pages.

Adoption Preparation

Foster families play an important role in helping animals become adoption-ready.

Once veterinary care is completed and the animal is behaviorally stable:

  • Foster profile questions are sent to the foster family

  • Photos and personality details are collected

  • Adoption profiles are created and published

Fosters are involved in the adoption process by helping provide insight into the animal’s personality, routines, preferences, and ideal home environment.

Foster families who wish to adopt their foster animal must complete the standard adoption process and pay the regular adoption fee.

Emergency Situations

Grey Face Rescue considers the following situations medical emergencies:

  • Difficulty breathing

  • Severe vomiting or diarrhea

  • Seizure activity

  • Trauma or injury

  • Unresponsiveness

  • Heavy bleeding

  • Broken bones

  • Severe lethargy

  • Suspected poisoning

  • Lost foster animals

In emergency situations, fosters are expected to contact the Grey Face Rescue team immediately for guidance and next steps.

Foster Program Standards & Accountability

Grey Face Rescue is committed to maintaining a safe, respectful, and professional foster program that prioritizes the wellbeing of both animals and volunteers.

Foster families may become inactive or be removed from the program if concerns arise regarding:

  • Animal care or neglect

  • Lack of communication

  • Repeated missed appointments

  • Failure to follow policies or procedures

  • Misrepresentation of the organization

  • Inappropriate conduct

  • Unsafe environments

  • Unauthorized placement of foster animals

  • Violence, threats, or illegal activity

These decisions are never made lightly and are always based on the best interests and safety of the animals in our care.

Foster Philosophy

Fostering can be emotionally challenging, time consuming, and unpredictable — but it is also one of the most impactful ways to save lives. Every foster family becomes part of an animal’s healing journey and helps provide hope, stability, and love during a critical time in their life.

At Grey Face Rescue, we believe fostering is truly a team effort. Through communication, education, compassion, and support, we work together to create successful foster experiences and life-changing outcomes for senior animals in need.