Today we’d like to introduce you to Bethann Gondeck.
Hi Bethann, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Grey Face Rescue was founded in 2015, and it really started from a personal experience that changed my perspective on senior dogs.
My great uncle had a dog named Barnabee, and they had spent 13 years together on our family farm. When my uncle needed to move into an assisted living facility that didn’t allow dogs Barnabee’s size, our family was faced with the possibility of him going to a shelter. That was incredibly difficult, because Barnabee wasn’t just my Uncle’s pet, he was part of our family.
I took Barnabee in, and that experience opened my eyes to how often senior dogs lose their homes through no fault of their own, especially during major life transitions for their owners like moving into an assisted living home. I realized there was a real gap in support for these dogs, and that’s what inspired me to start Grey Face Rescue.
It’s been a challenging journey. Animal rescue is emotional and unpredictable, and building a nonprofit from the ground up comes with a lot of obstacles. But it’s also been incredibly rewarding. Every dog we’re able to help and every family we support reinforces why we started because senior dogs deserve safety, love, and dignity in their later years.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Over the past 10 years, we’ve faced a number of challenges, but two of the biggest have been financial sustainability and finding enough foster homes.
Financially, senior animals often come to us with significant unmet medical needs. Many haven’t received consistent veterinary care in years, sometimes over a decade, so we’re playing catch-up right away. Even basic care like vaccinations can range from $150 to $300, and dental procedures frequently exceed $1,000. Because we intentionally keep our adoption fees low to ensure a high adoption rate, we rely heavily on donations, grants, and community support to cover those costs.
The other major challenge is foster capacity. We are a 100% foster-based rescue, which means we don’t have a physical shelter. Every animal we take in goes directly into a home environment. While that’s incredibly beneficial for the dogs, it also means we can only say yes to helping an animal if we have a foster home available. There have been times when having to say no has been one of the hardest parts of this work.
Despite these challenges, we’ve continued to grow and adapt, and they’ve really reinforced how important community support is to our mission.
We’ve been impressed with Grey Face Rescue, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
At Grey Face Rescue & Retirement, our mission is simple: we believe every senior animal deserves love, comfort, and dignity in their golden years.
We specialize in rescuing and caring for animals age 7 and older. Those who are often overlooked in traditional rescue settings. What sets us apart is our commitment to saying “yes” to seniors regardless of breed, medical needs, behavior, or history. Many of the animals who come to us require significant medical care or hospice support, and we are dedicated to meeting them where they are and giving them the quality of life they deserve.
As a 100% foster-based organization, we do not operate out of a shelter. Instead, every animal is placed in a loving home environment where they receive individualized, compassionate care. This allows our seniors to decompress, heal, and truly thrive. Our foster families and volunteers are the heart of everything we do, providing not just care, but companionship and dignity in every stage of life.
We offer a full spectrum of support, including medical care, foster placement, adoption, and hospice services. Whether a senior pet is with us for a short time or the rest of their life, our goal is to ensure they are surrounded by kindness, respect, and comfort.
Beyond rescue, we are strong advocates for education and prevention. We work to strengthen the bond between pets and their families to help prevent surrender later in life. And when rescue is necessary, we are committed to stepping in with compassion and expertise.
What we are most proud of as a brand is our unwavering commitment to the animals who need us most. We don’t shy away from the hard cases, we embrace them. Every senior we help is a reminder that it’s never too late for a second chance.
At Grey Face Rescue & Retirement, we are more than a rescue, we are a community dedicated to honoring the lives of senior animals and ensuring they are loved every step of the way.
Who else deserves credit in your story?
Grey Face Rescue is so much bigger than just me. I am truly just a small part of the puzzle. The success of our organization belongs to our incredible community. Our volunteers, foster families, adopters, donors, and supporters have stood behind our mission since day one, and we simply wouldn’t be where we are without them.
I’m especially grateful for our dedicated Board of Directors, who provide guidance and support in navigating larger decisions. Having a strong, committed team is essential to building a successful nonprofit, and I feel incredibly fortunate to be surrounded by people who are so passionate about what we do.
Grey Face is what it is today because of the people who believe in it, support it, and show up for these animals every single day.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.greyfacerescue.org/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/greyfacerescue
