Community Animal Visits

University of MN, Veterinary Medical Center: Companion Animal Love Loss and Memories (CALLM) Pet Loss The University of Minnesota Veterinary Medical Center (VMC) offers a bereavement group to support those grieving the loss of a beloved companion animal. If you are interested in participating in CALLM, please contact the VMC Social Work Services team in advance for pre-screening and to reserve a seat. Please either call 612-624-9372 or email swvet@umn.edu. Animal Emergency and Referral Center of Minnesota Pet Loss Support Group Meets every fourth Tuesday of every month from 7-8:30 pm. Our group is currently meeting via Zoom. Please contact Heidi at (651) 501-3759, ext. 3005, or habrenegan@aercmn.com if you wish to attend! FamilyMeans - Center for Grief and Loss – St. Paul, MN Licensed therapists with experience in pet loss. Offer individual, couples, family, child and adolescent therapy as well as group therapy. Walk-in Counseling Center Counseling services are completely free and anonymous, with no appointment needed. All of our professional counselors volunteer their time.

Lap of Love Pet Loss and Bereavement Hotline Answered Monday – Friday from 10am to 9pm EST. (855) 352-5683 Tufts Pet Loss Support Hotline at the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine Answered Monday – Friday from 5pm to 8pm CST. There is a 24-hour voicemail option as well. (508) 839-7966 Crisis Text Line Text HOME to 741 741 National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (800) 273-8255 (If you are struggling and need support, these are not pet loss specific but are answered 24/7.) ​National Suicide Prevention Lifeline – Ayuda en Español ​(888) 628-9454 (If you are struggling and need support, these are not pet loss specific but are answered 24/7.)

VetVine Virtual Pet Loss Support Groups National virtual 1:1 support group facilitated by licensed professionals, $25 fee. Rainbow Bridge Pet Loss Grief Support Chat Room T he room is open 24 hours a day and between 8-12 pm EST has caring volunteers waiting to help Association for Pet Loss & Bereavement Chat Rooms Scheduled open chat rooms facilitated by trained volunteers

We evaluate our human volunteers too! We evaluate on potential volunteers' interpersonal skills, friendly and warm personality, ability to converse with a wide range of people and willingness to help. Our goal is for the program to grow to include many volunteer teams, so that we can provide a large array of people with the enjoyment and comfort of companion animal visits.

Please email animalvisits@thebondbetween.org and we'll get back to you as quickly as we can!

Fantastic! Your residents are going to benefit tremendously from the Hope visits. The first step is to contact the Community Animal Visits coordinator at animalvisits@thebondbetween.org. You’ll discuss options for conducting visits in a way that makes sense for your community, guidelines to keep the animals and residents happy and safe, and go through any questions you might have.

Volunteer teams are comprised of an owner and their pet dog or cat. New volunteer teams will have a one-on-one orientation and evaluation to make sure both the human and the animal are a good fit for the program. The animals do not need to be therapy-certified; however, they do need to be up to date on vaccinations, under the owner’s control, and accepting of new people. Volunteer teams will visit assisted living once per month for about an hour.

Most of the communities we serve are senior living communities with residents in memory care and assisted living. We also visit adult day centers and group homes for neurodiverse adults. We are interested in expanding our base and sharing the love. If you represent an organization that would benefit from having animal visits, contact us at animalvisits@thebondbetween.org to discuss options.

There are SO many benefits that come from bringing an animal to visit residents so here are the two biggest highlights: 1. Spending time with an animal increases the years that someone lives, and perhaps more importantly, the quality of those years. The Community Animal Visits provides life-enriching benefits to thousands of people every month. 2. By placing rescue animals with sensitive people - those with dementia, Alzheimer's, or severe neurodivergent conditions, for example - the Community Animal Visits program proves that rescue animals are a force for good. They're a benefit to society. It's remarkable to consider that, just by showing up, an animal can do these amazing things. That's why we say "Our heroes don't wear capes. They wear collars."

All animals are evaluated based on certain criteria, including but not limited to: Friendly demeanor Willingness and enjoyment of petting and attention Basic obedience Steady temperament Ability to remain calm around groups of people and some medical equipment Lack of jumping or "mouthiness"

There is a one-time $25.00 registration fee per BB Scout. After enrollment, each Scout will receive their exclusive Scouts backpack. Certificates and pins are awarded and mailed out as specific achievements are completed. The BB Scouts materials will be mailed out weekly. If you haven't received your pack or certificate/pin within two weeks, please contact bbscouts@thebondbetween.org.

There is no age requirement, however the program’s achievements and literary content is recommended for youth aged 4-14 years.

Each BB Scout and their family can determine how frequently they wish to participate to complete a new achievement. There aren’t any set timelines or deadlines for participation. Some Scouts might aim to complete one achievement per month, while others might complete several one month while they foster an animal, for example, and then take a break for a while.

Once an achievement has been completed, a Parent/Guardian may fill out the Paw Scouts Achievements Form. A certificate or pin will be mailed soon after!

All toys, blankets, cards, and food can be donated to The Bond Between office at 5959 Baker Rd #390, Minnetonka, MN 55345 and set inside the front vestibule. If you would like a receipt for tax purposes, please attach a note to the donation with your name, email address, list of items, and dollar value and The BB will email you a receipt.

Nope! While some of the achievements are based on animal-related tasks, there are several that do not require an animal in the home.

Job Title: Veterinary Technician Reporting to: Vet Center Practice Manager Hours per week: 40 hours Pay: $19 - $27/hour DOE Position Responsibilities: The Bond Between is looking for 2 full-time Veterinary Technicians to join our team in the Veterinary Center. We are looking for a self-starter who thrives in a fast paced and changing environment. We are seeking a technician to work four, 10 hour days, including 1 Saturday per month. The Veterinary Technician is responsible for ensuring support to our veterinarians including appointments, procedures, surgeries and other various clinic needs. The Bond Between (The BB) is a 501(c)3 non-profit, foster based organization. In 2019, we created our own veterinary center to focus on our own foster animals' needs. While we have put a big focus on our foster animals, we also see client owned pets in our community. Assist and Support Veterinarian Appropriate and safe restraint for medical exams Obtain medical history and discuss general health recommendation Assist with medical notes in the exam rooms Fill medications as prescribed by the veterinarian Callbacks for lab work Monitor daily task lists for fosters and clients Light reception duties Other duties as assigned by the practice manager Assist and Support Veterinarian - Surgery Assist veterinarian with pre-surgical exams Set up and clean up surgical suite Draw up pre-medications and inductions Place IV catheters Preparing patients for surgical procedure Dental scaling and polishing, including dental radiographs Assist in surgery including administering and monitoring anesthesia Clean instruments, wrap and sterilize surgical packs Recover and monitor patients post-op Provide Treatments Perform SQ, IM & IV injections, including Heartworm Treatments Obtain blood samples for diagnostic testing Obtain and evaluate lab samples for ear cytology, tape prep, urinalysis, etc. Complete intakes on our foster animals Administering vaccines Qualifications: Alignment with the organization’s core values (Compassion, Solution Oriented, Open Minded, Service Minded, Reliable) Veterinary Technician Certification or Licensure (CVT, RVT, LVT, or LVMT) 1-2+ years of hands on technician experience at an animal clinic Ability to read, understand and follow department and facility procedures and policies Experience handling dogs and cats during medical exams and procedures Experience communicating individually and in team environment Experience working with computer applications Ability to lift 40-50 pounds daily Benefits: Paid Time Off 10 paid holidays Simple IRA with match Health and Dental Insurance Short term & long term disability Parental leave Generous personal pet discount Scrub allowance Annual VetGirl membership (CVT only) Certification renewal PSLF eligibility

Job Title: Foster Support Specialist Reporting to: Admissions Lead Hours per week: 40 hours Pay: Paid / Hourly $18-19 DOQ Work Schedule: Hybrid, a minimum of 3 scheduled days per week in-office (Minnetonka Location), On-site and weekend availability required Position Overview: This position serves as the main point of contact for foster families, ensuring their satisfaction through personalized guidance and support. The role also facilitates the admission of animals into the Rescue Operations program, adhering to organizational objectives and medical and behavioral standards. Responsibilities: Foster Support Match animals with permanent and temporary fosters to prevent or minimize time spent in the office Proactively recruit and connect fosters with animals via internal software, social media, email, in-person and phone Connect fosters to resources regarding training, medical needs, internal processes and general animal care Proactively communicate with foster families for efficient service delivery Address foster inquiries and concerns through email, phone, social media, and in person Coordinate pick-up, drop-off, and transfer of foster animals Collaborate with team members, clinics, and trainers to assess animal health and behavior Coordinate euthanasia as necessary following protocol Animal Admissions Collaborate with internal team members and external partners to assess and select suitable animals for admission into our Rescue Operations program Adhere to medical and behavioral standards and organizational objectives when selecting animals for admission Work closely with other team members to ensure successful receipt of all animals entering the foster program Other Duties Maintain accurate records in Shelterluv and applicable shared documents Monitor and engage with fosters on approved social media platforms Regularly collaborate with Marketing to create content and help recruit new foster families Provide cross-coverage of similar positions within the organization to ensure smooth operation Participate in one intake per quarter in a pre-approved designated role Collaborate with the Admissions Lead to set quarterly goals and implement improvements Maintain professional communication with foster homes, staff members, volunteers and adopters through phone, text, in-person and email communication as appropriate for the situation In addition to the above-listed duties, attendance at department meetings and monthly staff meetings is required. Additional responsibilities may be assigned by the Admissions Lead consistent with your position, skills and experience. Desired Skills: Leadership, Stakeholder Engagement, Collaboration, Networking, Emotional Intelligence, Coaching & Mentoring Resilience, Adaptability & Agility Basic understanding of dog and cat behavior and basic training Comfortable and adept at communicating about emotional topics via phone Ability to establish boundaries and make tough decisions with empathy Passion for animals and people Experience in a customer service environment Excellent verbal and written communication skills Strong time management and organizational abilities Ability to handle complex situations and resolve concerns calmly Alignment with the organization’s core values: Compassion, Solution-Oriented, Open-Minded, Service-Minded, Reliable Proficiency in Google Suite (Gmail, Google Sheets, Google Docs, Google Calendar) and social media platforms, Facebook account is required Benefits: Paid Time Off Retirement Plan Flexible Schedule Pet-friendly environment (bring your pet to work) Medical and Dental Healthy Snack room Continuing Education Parental Leave Employee Discount Paid Holidays

Job Title: Rescue Veterinarian, DVM Reporting to: Vet Center Practice Manager Hours per week: 40 hours (Exempt) Pay: $110K+ DOE Position Overview: The Rescue Veterinarian plays a key role in supporting our veterinary practice by overseeing the medical management of our rescue animals. Responsibilities Build a strong foster-first and collaborative practice culture. Positively represent the vet center in the professional and local community. Perform comprehensive medical examinations and assessments on our foster animals on behalf of The Bond Between. Diagnose and treat a variety of medical conditions in conjunction with our rescue medicine standards. Perform surgical procedures, including spaying, neutering, soft tissue surgeries, and dental procedures using best practices. Maintain accurate medical records and documentation of patient examinations, diagnoses, treatments, and outcomes in compliance with veterinary regulations and standards. Communicate effectively with fosters, colleagues, and support staff to coordinate patient care. Work closely with the Director of Veterinary Services and the Practice Manager to ensure that rescue medical protocols are up to date and being followed by veterinary center staff. Stay updated on advancements in veterinary medicine, new treatment options, and best practices through continuing education and professional development activities. Ensure all staff treat foster homes and patients with care and respect. Team Leadership Provide leadership and guidance to the technician and care coordinator team. Foster a positive and collaborative work culture, promoting teamwork and professional development. Stay up-to-date with changes in veterinary medicine through continuing education. Work closely with Director of Veterinary Medicine and Practice Manager in creation and implementation in new protocols and SOPs. Assist Director of Veterinary Medicine and Practice Manager in hiring rescue veterinary hospital staff, including veterinarians, veterinary technicians and assistants and care coordinators. Proposed Schedule (4 - 10 hour days) 2 surgery days (primarily spay and neuter) 2 treatment day Qualifications Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Licensure (DVM) 4+ years of veterinary clinic experience 2+ years of rescue or shelter veterinary care Hold current DEA license (The BB will pay to transfer if out of state or reimburse for new) Strong leadership and interpersonal skills, with the ability to motivate and engage team members effectively. Management experience is a plus, but not required. Ability to read, understand and follow department and facility procedures and policies Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, with the ability to communicate professionally with foster homes and colleagues. Experience working with computer applications Ability to lift 40-50 pounds daily Benefits: Paid Time Off 10 paid holidays Simple IRA with match Health and Dental Insurance Short term & long term disability Parental leave Generous personal pet discount Scrub allowance Annual VetGirl membership (CVT only) Certification renewal PSLF eligibility

Reporting to: Lost Animal Coordinator Hours per week: less than 5, otherwise as needed (when animal is lost, see notes at the end of this document) Position Type: Volunteer/Unpaid Position Responsibilities: A Lost Animal Support Team Member will serve as the primary point of contact for one week per month. You will help the families feel supported by following best practices in retrieving lost foster cats and dogs, following our existing protocol. You will also coordinate volunteers to help distribute information and retrieve the animal. Implement safety-first strategy for foster animal retrieval: Following our existing protocol, you will educate the foster and search team by phone or email on step by step strategy for safely retrieving the foster animal. Create/Distribute Flyer: Using an industry standard, and following our existing protocol, you will create flyers and post to social media sites, online databases, and provide to volunteers for distribution. Sightings: Receive calls from the public, and track sightings on digital maps to determine area where the animal is lost and direction they are heading. Physical Signs: Coordinate volunteers to place signs (from our office) and know where they are placed to retrieve later. Trap deployment or other foster retrieval: Following our protocol, deploy and monitor the humane trap -or- more commonly, instruct the foster through final retrieval steps once the animal is located. Connect with outside agencies when necessary: In certain cases, it might be beneficial to work with outside agencies who specialize in lost animal retrieval. You will be their first point of contact in these cases. Provide resources to Adopters: If requested, assist adopters with locating their lost animal by providing them with information and advice. There are no mandatory commitments outside of your week on-call. You will NOT be responsible for updating policies, attending staff meetings, creating educational materials, nor developing/maintaining new partnerships with outside agencies. Required Experience: Willingness to make and receive phone calls using a google voice phone number provided by The BB Ability to follow instructions. Alignment with the organization’s core values (Compassion, Solution Oriented, Open Minded, Service Minded, Reliable) Proficient computer skills: Google Suite (Gmail, Google Docs) Notes to help gauge scope of workload: In 2022, we are averaging one lost foster per month. All cases have been successfully resolved in under 12 hours.

Job Title: Emergency Line Operator Reporting to: Emergency Line Operator Lead Hours per week: 1 week rotations, Monday - Sunday, outside of Vet Center operating hours Position Type: Paid Position Overview The Emergency Line Operator will be the first point of contact for our foster families in the event of a medical emergency with their foster animal. This role is crucial in triaging cases, offering initial advice and support, and ensuring that foster families receive the appropriate care for their pets as quickly as possible. Responsibilities Emergency Response Answer incoming emergency calls promptly and professionally, gathering necessary information about the pet’s condition and the nature of the emergency. Use knowledge and training to assess the urgency of the situation and provide preliminary advice to foster families, including first aid instructions and recommendations for immediate care. Communication & Support Communicate with partner clinics and foster family regarding patient care, treatment plans, and follow-up instructions in a professional and compassionate manner. Coordinate with partner emergency hospitals to ensure timely and appropriate care for the pet. Provide compassionate and professional support and reassurance to foster families during high-stress situations. Clearly communicate with all parties to ensure that all relevant information is relayed accurately and efficiently. Documentation Maintain detailed and accurate records of all calls in Shelterluv, including the nature of the emergency, advice given, and follow-up actions required. Implement and uphold clinic policies and procedures put into place by the Director of Veterinary Services. Qualifications: Minimum of 1 year of experience working in a clinical setting, shelter preferred, with demonstrated proficiency in medical procedures and patient care. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, both verbal and written, with the ability to communicate professionally. Desired Skills: Customer Service Great Communication, Stakeholder Engagement, Collaboration, Emotional Intelligence, Resilience, Adaptability & Agility. Compensation Package: A weekly stipend of $100 will be provided to ensure availability and commitment to handling calls Monday through Sunday. Performance-based incentives: Successfully handle new cases: $20 per case Holiday pay: $30 per case (applicable on designated holidays) Total earnings potential will vary based on individual performance and case volume. Note: This compensation package is designed to reward your expertise, efficiency, and dedication to delivering exceptional service

Job Title: Director of Finance Reports To: Vice President Position Type: Full-time, Salary (30-32 hours) Salary: $80K DOQ Responsibilities: Financial Management: ● Oversee all aspects of financial management, including day-to-day accounting, budgeting, forecasting, and financial reporting. ● Develop and implement financial policies and procedures to ensure compliance with relevant regulations and best practices. ● Monitor and analyze financial performance, providing strategic insights and recommendations to the Vice President and Executive Director as well as the Board of Directors. ● Work closely with the Board Treasurer and Finance committee to ensure that accurate and timely data, reporting, and information is communicated on a consistent basis as well as ensuring strong financial controls and effective risk management practices are in place. ● Finalize month and year end books and reporting. Strategic Planning: ● Contribute to the development of the organization's strategic plan, providing financial expertise to support long-term sustainability and growth. ● Work closely with the leadership team to assess the financial goals and budget at a strategic level. Leadership and Team Collaboration: ● Lead and mentor the finance team, fostering a collaborative and high- performing culture. ● Collaborate with other departments to understand their financial needs and provide support in achieving organizational objectives. Audit and Compliance: ● Coordinate annual financial audits and ensure compliance with accounting standards and regulatory requirements. ● Implement internal controls to safeguard financial assets and maintain the integrity of financial data. Qualifications: ● Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, or a related field; MBA or CPA preferred. ● 10+ years of progressive financial experience. ● 3+ years of experience in not-for-profit financial management. ● 3+ years of leadership and management experience ● Proficient with QBO and/or other accounting software ● Proficient with Microsoft Office ● Proficient in G-Suite ● Strong understanding and previous experience with financial reporting, budgeting, and analysis. ● Strong attention to detail ● Excellent verbal and written communication skills, Board level communication experience is a plus ● Ability to work collaboratively with cross-functional teams as well as communicate to a variety of levels of financial knowledge Desired Experience ● Experience with donor management platforms ● Experience managing the financial processes of a Capital Campaign

Clients who live outside of the city of Minneapolis (as defined by zip code) are allowed to shop once every six months. Clients who live within Minneapolis can shop once every 30 days. Clients who are early will be asked to leave and return at the appropriate date.

The Bond Between pet food shelf is currently available to people who live within the city limits of Minneapolis. The food shelf is to be used as an emergency resource only and is meant to supplement additional resources you may have or receive. By accepting food/supplies, you are indicating that you are in need due to low income, economic crisis, disability or are a member of a First Nations Indigenous Band. Evidence will need to be provided for both new and returning clients.

Service is limited to one household member (as defined by unique address) and is capped at four dogs and/or cats total.

The pet food shelf is located at The Bond Between Minneapolis location- 2501 Minnehaha Ave, Minneapolis, MN.

Animals are not allowed inside the food shelf with the exception of service animals (proof of status required). Service animals must held on a 2' leash at all times and are not permitted to interact with other people. Disruptive animals - even if service animals - must leave in accordance with ADA guidelines.

Clients are welcome to come to the food shelf on the following days: Tuesday 5:30-7:45pm Thursday 5:30-7:45pm Saturday 9:30am-1:45pm

Yes!! First, double check the fit of your collar and harness. Both can loosen over time, so it’s important to check their fit every week or so. For all collars, and for most harnesses, you should just be able to snugly fit two fingers under the strap against their neck or torso. Leashes should be carried with your wrist all the way through the holding loop, and a firm grasp along the flat portion of the leash. Assume your pup will react to every sight and sound, and plan accordingly. Start with short outings through quiet parts of your area, working up to busier streets and times of the day. For support with reactive dogs, please seek out your preferred trainer. For The BB Alumni, you can email training@thebondbetween.org!

Cats, even indoor cats, do become missing nearly as frequently as dogs. We recommend the following precautions: Check your windows and screens! We see many cats in MN go missing each spring and summer through loose screens on windows. Whenever entering your living space, double check that your door is fully latched before walking away. A strong gust of wind can both frighten your cat as well as blow open your door – a perfect combination for an escape. Have a door plan! Reaching for a package, carrying in groceries, or letting in a friend are all times where a scared or motivated cat may bolt! During parties and holidays, assign a person to be on cat-watch whenever guests are arriving or leaving. Always identify where kitty is within your space before opening the door for any span of time. If your cat does get away, they are likely to stay within a few blocks of home. Set out their litter box and a small amount of food, ideally in front of a security camera so you can see if they come home. At dawn and dusk, walk around with a flashlight, shining under bushes and shrubs, low to the ground in sheltered spaces; you’re looking for your cat’s eyes to shine back at you. Once you have located your missing cat, you can use food to lure them out to you, or purchase a humane trap from your local hardware store. Some towns and counties have humane cat traps that can be rented out as well!

The most helpful thing that you can do is to call your local non-emergency police or sheriff phone number, and report the sighting. They will ask for a description of the animal, their location, and their direction of travel. We recommend you also post on Nextdoor, social media, and notify your local neighborhood watch groups.

According to our internal data of fosters that have been missing (and later found), around 50% escaped from inside of their foster homes! We stress the importance of the following strategies to our fosters, and have seen a dramatic decrease in lost fosters across the last few years as a result! Double-door your home! Use a baby gate or interior door to create a second barrier between your dog and the outside world. Our fosters do this at all times, and we especially recommend it when carrying in groceries when your hands are full. Have a door plan! During holidays or when guests are over, assign a family member to be on doggie watch whenever the door could be open! Never trust a screen! Treat a screened window as though it is open - screens can pop off frighteningly easily in most cases! Only open windows that are fully out of reach of your pup, and only far enough that their shoulders won’t fit through the screened space.

The fourth of July is the single day of the year where the most dogs and cats become missing. From fireworks to parade sirens to big gatherings, there are many opportunities for animals to test out their skills as escape artists. Check out this infographic for our top tips for keeping your furry friends safe and with you this holiday.

At The Bond Between, we expect that all fosters and adopted animals are contained at all times. This can be via a fence, a tether, a leash, or a play pen! Whatever your form of containment, we recommend the following: Fence Safety! Did you know that dogs can jump an average of 6 feet? That is one reason we recommend you be outdoors with your pup ANY time they’re outdoors. You should also check your fencing after strong summer winds and all winter storms to make sure they’re still intact. Winter storms can be especially sneaky - check for snowdrifts or snow piles on both sides of your fencing! We don’t want any accidental runway ramps for your pup to escape from! Check your form of security every single use! This means checking fence gate latches, reviewing tether attachments, or scanning your leash for snags and wear before each and every use! Replace worn parts or pieces at the earliest sign of wear- rust and tears can weaken quickly!

Please reach out to lost@thebondbetween.org and we will be in touch within 72 hours!

One in three dogs and cats become missing in their lifetime. The most important thing to remember is DO NOT CHASE THEM! This will either make your pup think they’re playing a game, wherein they’ll run for you to chase them further, or it will scare them and potentially make them run into a less familiar area or into a road. Our lost dog action plan is linked above. It contains search strategies, doggie behavior information, and recommendations for two phenomenal dog retrieval organizations who can give you additional support if your pup is missing from Minnesota.

For veterinary injury/illness concerns & veterinary emergencies during business hours please contact: The Bond Between Veterinary Center at (952) 855-8090 For veterinary emergencies when the The Bond Between Vet Center is closed please contact: The Bond Between Emergency Vet Care at (612) 280-1496 Please only call in the following circumstances: Immediate veterinary care is needed. Examples include: severe bleeding/wounds, broken bones, excessive vomiting, obvious signs of pain, the animal has run away or animal has been in a fight. Immediate danger to other animals or people (you will be advised to bring your foster dog to our office, but handling procedures, codes, etc. will be provided by The BB team). Please leave a voicemail for the vetting contact and your call will be returned immediately if it is deemed an emergency. Otherwise, please wait for an email, which can take up to 24 hours. If the status changes and your foster animal appears in distress, feel free to call again and leave an updated message. If you leave a voicemail please also send a follow-up email to fostermedical@thebondbetween.org. In case of a lost animal, please call 952-373-1386 and email lost@thebondbetween.org.

For any non-emergency vetting questions (for example: spay/neuter, routine vetting, nail trims, vetting being completed prior to adoption) please email fostermedical@thebondbetween.org.

All approved medical expenses for foster animals are paid by The Bond Between. Before scheduling any medical appointments, please email our Vet Manager. In case of an emergency, please call the emergency line in the foster handbook. In many cases, we can get the animal seen at The Bond Between vet center for a fraction of the cost of a non-affiliated emergency vet.

A new foster animal should have slow introductions over the course of several days to all members of your household (human and animal). You can speak with your Foster Coordinator about how to best introduce your first foster into your home. Younger children should be introduced slowly to determine the compatibility with the new foster animal. It is recommended that an adult supervise all interactions between foster animals and young children. Children need to be taught the right way to treat an animal and what it means to respect an animal’s cues and need for space.

Of course! Just let your Foster Coordinator know your plans at least one week in advance (the more time the better!) and we will make arrangements for a temporary foster home for your foster animal.

Please email the Foster Support Specialists for tips on ways to make transitions more smooth. They are always available to help with questions! If your kids or pets are in immediate danger, we will get your foster animal out of your home as soon as possible, otherwise we ask that you give us one week’s notice for us to find a new foster.

We do our best to eliminate the possibility of taking human or dog aggressive dogs. Still, some issues may arise. Possibilities include separation anxiety (i.e. crying or barking when left alone), marking (with urine), chewing, house training, barking and dog-aggression. We have many ways of managing these problems until they are resolved and our experienced Foster Coordinators are on hand to answer questions and provide advice.

When a potential adopter contacts The BB, we will review the application to make sure it meets our standards. Approved applications will be emailed to you and we expect you to contact the applicants to arrange a meeting. These meetings can take place at your house, their house, or a neutral location (whatever you feel comfortable with). Sometimes, multiple families will apply to adopt your foster animal, in which case you will arrange multiple meetings, one for each potential adoptive family. We give our fosters the right to pick the best adopter, as long as they are being reasonable in their choices/denials.

The Bond Between asks that you allow us at least one week to find a new foster. We will do our best to find a foster home for your animal in a timely manner.

Each foster parent will receive the following: food, bowls, leash, bedding, collar, crate, toys, treats and any needed medications. Cat fosters will also receive litter, litter box, scratching posts, etc. Before you pick up your foster, you will be asked what supplies you need to pick up when you pick up your foster.

Please remember that you are responsible for the dogs in all these situations, and sometimes new situation/people stress the dog out. It is best to let the dog adapt to your home, and a few visitors at a time rather than bringing the dog in to a totally new situation right away. Also remember that if there is a fight or incident at the dog park, you are responsible. We can not control the public, and there have certainly been police calls and law suits over dog park incidents. If you would like to go to the dog park, please check with your Foster Coordinator. We want you and your foster dog to stay safe! Many cities require dog park permits/licenses, so please check your local ordinances. The Bond Between is not able to cover these costs. If you are looking for other ways to socialize your foster, check out an adoption event!

Pre-approval from your Foster Support Specialist is required for reimbursements. In most instances, we will have what you need at our office, or we can get it for you! If you choose to purchase your own supplies, you may deduct them on your taxes. For a tax receipt, please fill out the Foster Supplies Tax Receipt Form which can be found here. For all medical needs/supplies/medications, you must contact the medical team for approval. DO NOT take your foster animal to a vet without prior approval from the medical team. Please refer to our Foster Contact List for contact information.

The hardest one to let go is the first one, but we promise it does get easier. There are countless amounts of animals in need, and those animals all deserve a great foster homes like yours, too. Our foster volunteers have all been through “letting go,” and we can help prepare you before, during and after. We hope our foster and forever families will send us updates! Request to join this facebook group to keep up with some of the animals in our program!

Because our dogs and cats come from shelter situations, they have unknown histories and it’s quite possible they haven’t had their medical needs properly met. They sometimes have kennel cough (the equivalent of a human cold) and worms, among other possibilities. Before we bring the dogs/puppies and cats/kittens into a foster situation, we de-worm them, vaccinate them, and give them Frontline or other flea/tick preventatives. We highly recommend your resident animals are on Frontline or another flea/tick preventatives prior to fostering.

Foster Support Specialists are the main resource and support system for all of our fosters. If you have a question about your foster animal, you should talk with your Foster Support Specialist. If it is a question they cannot answer, they will delegate that question to someone who has the answer.

Yes! All of out animals needing a foster home are posted on our Fosters Needed Facebook page as well as though our volunteer portal. If you find a dog or cat who interests you, contact the Foster Coordinator and they will ensure the animal will be a good fit for your household. You can also give us criteria for the type of dog or cat you want to foster. After you let us know your criteria (i.e. age, size, gender) we will do our best to match you with the perfect foster animal.

It is very hard to give an average time an animal is in foster care. Many puppies and kitties are adopted within a month​ or two, while some adult dogs have been in foster care for years! Most of the time, our animals are adopted relatively quickly, but we cannot make any guarantee as to how long they will be in your home. We ask that you commit to the animal you are fostering until a forever family is found.

Our animals are rescued from high-kill shelters all around the Midwest and local to MN. We have volunteers who regularly visit these facilities and look for animals that need our help. We have developed great relationships with shelter workers who contact us when they have animals in danger of being euthanized. If you are interested in more information about your specific foster, we will do our best to tell you where he/she comes from, and his/her background story, if possible. We also receive some of our animals from owner surrenders – owners who can no longer provide care for their animals, but who want to ensure the best possible new home is found for them.

Transports are available in various locations in the Twin Cities. As a Transport Volunteer you help us by transporting animals primarily for intake. This would be primarily on the weekend but can sometimes occur during the week as well. Transports can be anywhere in the Twin Cities, so times vary depending on location. You can also help by providing transport of an animal from their foster home to vet appointments, or from various locations in the Twin Cities to our office. Volunteers ages 12+ can volunteer with a parent/guardian, and ages 18+ can volunteer alone.

Animal intake takes place at our Minnetonka office. As an Intake Volunteer, you help with animals arriving at The Bond Between. This position includes but is not limited to the following: filling foster supply requests, setting up crates and kennel runs, getting dogs from the transport van and into their designated crate or kennel run, making sure dogs get to photography and vetting in the specified order as noted by the Intake Manager, making sure all dogs have their vetting bag as given by the Vetting Manager or Paperwork Specialist, taking dogs out to our "potty area", cleaning dogs off as needed, cleaning crates, kennel runs, and the transport van, laundry, dishes, sweeping and mopping at the end of the shift. We do also leave room for lots of kisses and selfies! Intake occurs a couple times each week, typically on Tuesday, Saturday and Sunday. The usual time required is around 5-6 hours and volunteers must be 18 years of age or older. Please note that you may be working with some dogs that weigh in excess of 100 lbs. Visit our volunteer portal for more info!

Our Community Animal Visits program offers companion pet visits to Minnesota assisted living communities and other facilities. Our goal is to provide both humans and animals with comfort, socialization and companionship. Volunteers bring their personal animals, including dogs (both large and small) and cats, to participate in the visits. Each animal and its handler receives training with The Bond Between staff in order to make the experience both enjoyable and safe. If you are interested in participating in this program please fill out this form.

These opportunities are available in various locations across the Twin Cities. As a Puppy Party Volunteer, you attend different events and help guests cuddle puppies. Duties include animal clean up, set up and take down for party, and transporting supplies and/or puppies. Puppy Parties last 90 minutes, so a 2 – 3 hour time commitment is expected including driving. Please note volunteer ages 12-16 can volunteer with a parent/guardian (both need to be trained), and ages 17+ can volunteer alone!

Office hours take place at our Minnetonka office. As a Rescue Support Volunteer, you will be present at the office as a resource to people who visit us. Visitors often arrive to drop off donations, pick up their foster animal, or ask for supplies for their foster animal. We prefer people commit to a block of time to be able to perform on the same day and time each week. During this time your shift may include cleaning and organizing the office, doing laundry, helping with donation drop-offs, letting out the dogs and caring for the cats in condos. There are always plenty of activities to work on while at the office! Office Hour shifts are 2-4 hours. Volunteers age 16 can assist with office hours, and ages 18+ can volunteer alone.

Events take place in various locations in the Twin Cities. As a Community/Fundraiser Event Volunteer, you attend community events on behalf of The BB and support in whatever way is needed. You may sell items, answer questions, or oversee a kissing booth with some pups! These events include 5K races, craft fairs or other local events to help raise money and awareness for the rescue. To see all of our events and needs, please find each individual event here. Volunteers ages 12+ can volunteer with a parent/guardian, and ages 18+ can volunteer alone. Visit our volunteer portal for more info!

Let Outs take place at our Minnetonka office. Let Out Volunteers are responsible for caring for the animals in the office at specific times throughout the day. Let Out responsibilities include taking dogs out for potty and a walk, giving dogs and cats food, water and any necessary medications, and cleaning up the kennel and condo areas when needed. Let out times vary, but 10-15 minute walks per dog is preferred. Volunteers must be 18 years of age or older.

These opportunities are available in various locations across the Twin Cities. As an Event Transport Volunteer, you attend adoption events and handle a dog or cat during the event on behalf of their foster who is unable to attend. Adoption events last two hours, so a 2.5 – 3 hour time commitment is expected to include pick up and drop off. To see all of our events and needs, please find each individual event here. Volunteers ages 12+ can volunteer with a parent/guardian, and ages 18+ can volunteer alone.

Our pet food shelf is located at The Bond Between Minneapolis location. As a food shelf volunteer, you help new and returning clients shop for food and supplies for their pets. Volunteers also stock shelves, intake and sort donations, and keep the food shelf clean and organized. Volunteer shifts are 3 hours on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. Volunteers must be 18 years of age or older. A volunteer orientation is required and held weekly. Volunteers are also needed around the community to pick up donations and make deliveries of pet food to community partners. Visit our volunteer portal for more info!

Our team reviews each request for respite foster care, tries to match the case with a foster home, and connects in partner social service agencies if needed. We follow these general guidelines for who supports the case throughout the respite foster care time: Domestic Violence situations will be handled by The BB. We often partner with social services agencies as well. Owner Medical situations (including mental health and addiction services) will be handled directly by The BB. Housing situations will be handled directly by The BB. Incarceration, Legal Cases, and Custody Cases will not be accepted at this time.

Each case cannot last longer than 90 days. We will be proactivly communicating with all parties involved throughout the entire process and there will be many conversations before we hit the 90 day maximum stay. At 90 days time, animals in the program who have not been reclaimed will be treated as owner surrenders and become the property of The Bond Between.

This is reviewed on a case-by-case basis. We are unable to accept animals who have bitten a human or other animal before. If an animal shows aggression or has a bite incident while in the program, an owner may be asked to reclaim their animal with 48-hours notice

Yes, we partner with Women's Advocates and MACV. If you are a victim- survivor of domestic violence and are looking for help, please visit https://www.wadvocates.org/ for help. We often partner with these agencies to ensure all aspects of support for the victim- survivor are met.

At this time, the program is only able to accept dogs and cats.

Thank you so much for your interest in fostering with The BB! Respite fostering is a a unique and special way to make a difference in the life of an animal. Please email respite@thebondbetween.org to learn more about available foster opportunities.

Due to high demand for this service and limited space in foster homes, this program has limited capacity and should only be used if no other options are available. Examples of urgent needs include: - Person is facing a medical emergency that makes them unable to care for their pet for a short time while they heal. - Person is a victim- survivor of domestic violence and is fleeing their current situation. - Person is entering in-patient medical treatment. - Person is facing housing insecurities and needs time to find housing that allows pets.

Yes, we can help! In cases where an animal is in the care of an advocate who is not the owner, we will still need contracts signed by the owner. An exception can be made in the case of owner medical situations, where the owner is unable to sign AND the animal is in the care of a direct family member who can sign on their behalf.

Yes, we can take cases with more than one animal! We cannot guarantee that all pets from the same household will be fostered together.