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Wednesday 2pm - 7pm Thursday 2pm - 7pm Friday 2pm - 7pm Saturday 11am - 6pm Sunday 11am - 3pm

One Tail at a Time

Home
United States
Chicago, IL
One Tail at a Time

One Tail at a Time ("OTAT") is a Chicago based animal rescue that aims to end pet homelessness by making pet
ownership a joyful and accessible experience for all.

09/07/2024

The sun is shining, the weather is crisp, and the One Tail At A Time Adoption Center is open 11am-6pm, walk ins welcome!

Come meet your new bff!

09/06/2024

When looking at Tobi's intake photo, it's easy to see that he is scared and unsure of the changes he's going through. But we have some pretty great news for him!

Tobi is part of a new strategy we are working with Chicago Animal Care and Control to employ so that individuals surrendering their pets can skip the shelter and come straight to us.

This way Tobi, and all the other cats we reach, don't ever have to enter the loud, scary, city shelter. Instead Tobi went right into a foster home where he's already decompressing and learning he is safe. On the flip side, our already overburdened city shelter has space for the next cat in need.

This program is brought to you by the ever forward thinking OCAT staff, the OCAT fosters, adopters, volunteers, and donors who love cats. Thank you onetail.org/foster

09/06/2024

Poe!
4 years, 5 lbs.

Adoptable TODAY at the One Tail At A Time Adoption Center. Walk ins always welcome!

09/05/2024

Diamond

3 years old, entered the shelter nursing puppies while she battled a variety of parasites. She's now healthy and living her best life. She's the life of the party, hilarious, active, sporty, and... weird.

We adore having her at our facility, but it's time for her to find a home. Diamond is looking for a foster home, a foster to adopt, or an adopter.

Email us with any questions: [email protected]

09/04/2024

Puppies don't belong in shelters. Especially shelters with no air conditioning, who don't vaccinate on intake, have volunteer or foster programs, or any resources for vet care.

That's just one of the many reasons we work with One Tail at a Time West Texas to get out the most vulnerable animals from some of the toughest shelters out there.

You can help, sign up to foster Lilith or one of her friends. Email [email protected] to help.

Check out all the fosters in need here: https://trello.com/b/MepWSpS5/otat-pets-in-need-of-foster

09/03/2024

08/30/2024

Can you foster Joby, and give him belly rubs, for 2 weeks?

Sweet boy Joby arrived to us this week from pretty deplorable conditions. He embodies that unbreakable resilience so many dogs have, and is just the sweetest little guy.

Joby adores people, he's quite, good in his crate, and loves to be outside. He's a little overwhelmed in a busy neighborhood, but we think he could land anywhere with a patient foster.

Can you help? Supplies and transport provided if needed!
Email [email protected] for Joby!

08/29/2024

Fosters wanted!

We have dogs, puppies, cats, kittens, rabbits, and guinea pigs looking for temporary foster homes. Time frame ranges from weekend relief fosters, to 2 week new fosters, to long term fosters until our animals get adopted.

You pick your foster, you give us your available dates (relief fosters available if you have travel coming up!). We provide supplies, transport if needed, and a whole lot of support.

Pictured: Kitty, one of our sweet cats in need of a foster!

See all our foster needs here: https://trello.com/b/MepWSpS5/otat-pets-in-need-of-foster

08/28/2024

Meet Myrtle.

Ending up in a shelter at 15 years old is stressful for any animal, but for seniors it can be particularly tough. Myrtle has been a gem through it all, and we're so grateful that thanks to a foster home we were able to welcome her into our rescue.

It's a good thing we had space because her first exam with us revealed:

-Myrtle is heartworm positive and will need treatment
-Myrtle has cracked teeth
-Myrtle has a hernia and/or mammary masses, which will be further examined next week
-Myrtle has itchy skin making her very uncomfortable
-Myrtle has a persistent cough and cloudy lungs that may be pneumonia

The places where senior dogs are able to go to get the love and treatment they deserve are only here because of supporters who crowdfund this kid of support. We could not do this work without our Members, so we want to take a second to say THANK YOU to everyone who donates monthly. Myrtle is safe, loved, happy, and getting treatment because of YOU.

Become a Member, help us save another Myrtle: onetail.org/membership

PS- We also have a program that helps people keep their pets instead of surrendering them due to not being able to afford vet care. Thanks to our Members, of course!

08/27/2024

Did you know your One Tail adoption story could make a big difference? By sharing your journey—whether in writing or video—you can help OTAT win vital funds for our foster programs! Submit your story by September 30th, and you'll be in the running to secure rescue grants from Petco Love Stories. Your adoption story has the power to save more lives!

Submit your story -> petcolove.org/adopt/love-stories/

08/26/2024

They might be an unlikely pair... but Scooter and Socker Bopper are officially a bonded pair—and they’re looking for a home together! 🐶🐱

Our staff members started fostering Scooter, a shy large-breed puppy, back in May. It can be nerve-racking for Scooter to meet new people and open up at first... but then he met Socker Bopper. This tiny, wobbly, one-eyed kitten stole Scooter's heart, and they quickly became best friends, finding comfort in each other. From grooming each other to playing and indulging in a ridiculous amount of cuddling, these two are inseparable. 💙

In the market for double the fun? Apply to for Socker Bopper and Scooter -> onetail.org

08/23/2024

Meet adoptable puppies and kittens tomorrow at Offsite Adoption Event: PetSmart Roscoe Village!

Same day adoptions and walk ins welcome, but we recommend getting an adoption application on file ahead of time to streamline taking your new BFF home!

onetail.org

08/22/2024

After spending some time in the ER and receiving the best care possible, we’re thrilled to report that Samara was discharged earlier this week and is now settling into her foster home!

While she’s still on the mend, Samara is showing signs of improvement every day. Her spirit is strong, and we’re confident that with continued love and care, she’ll be back to her playful self soon.

This would not have been possible without the amazing support from our community. Whether you shared her story, donated, or simply sent good vibes her way—thank you! Your support makes miracles like this happen every day.

Help us save more lives:
Sign up to be a foster --> onetail.org/foster
Become a monthly donor for as little as $5/month --> onetail.org/membership

08/21/2024

Thank you Eva, Vivi, and Olivia (pictured here) and Jackson and Walker (pic in comments) for spending your Summer break raising money for homeless pets.

These kids absolutely rocked their lemonade stands and were able to make a big impact with both the cash they raised and the donations they collected - the kids are alright!!

08/21/2024

What is your *best advice* for anyone looking to adopt a pet?

We will compile our favorite answers and make a blog post on our website with your wisdom!

Pictured: Recently adopted Richie, wind blowin' through his ears!

08/19/2024

Most of our adoption photos include a lot of cuddling, typically with small dogs on the lap of their adopter.

But Duvalin is nervous, and too scared to be touched right now. Many of the small dogs, and some of the larger dogs, in our care come with fear and sensitivities that require adopters willing to give more patience, and ability to read body language.

We almost never know why, but typically it's due to one or more of bad breeding, not the right amount of early socialization, neglect or abuse, or simply from the stress of being bounced around and living in a loud shelter.

Whatever the reason, it is a moment of pure joy when we find an adopter not only understanding that not every dog is ready to be picked up or hugged, but willing to put the time and effort in to make an adoption work.

Congrats to Duvalin who found such a person this weekend. Our hope, our optimism, and our joy was restored thanks to this wonderful match.

Happy Monday, friends.

08/18/2024

We had a great adoption day yesterday, so new kid Bronco arrived to our One Tail At A Time Adoption Center today!

Bronco is just 6 months old and 17 lbs. He was too skinny to be neutered so we are looking for someone to take him as a foster-to-adopt to get a little meat on him so he can be neutered and officially adopted.

He is your typical puppy, super sweet and a ton of fun! He would love a home of his own- come meet him today, we take walk ins 11am-6pm!

08/17/2024

Live from our half price adoption event!

08/17/2024

Today is the last day of Half off Dog & Cat Adoption Event! and we have an incredible cast of adoptables joining us from 11am-3pm.

We take walk ins and do same day adoptions! Come on in and meet your new best friend!

2144 N Wood St.
Street parking available

08/16/2024

How about a Friday miracle?

This is the video we received from Chicago Animal Care and Control volunteers about Samara, a dog with pneumonia that was set to be euthanized at 7pm last night if no rescue was found.

We were tagged dozens of times in the videos asking us to help. We wanted to, but with our intake center for CACC dogs maxed out, plus two extremely high (think $25,000...) vet bills from two emergency medical CACC dogs from last week- it just didn't seem possible.

But then, two things happened...
1. A foster home emailed and said they would take Samara and keep her until adoption.

2. A donor messaged to sponsor her medical bills.

Through the power of community we were able to squeeze in another urgent case, and Samara is now safe at the emergency vet!

Special thanks to CACC Dog Transfer Team for being their heroes day in and day out.

Helps us make the next miracle happen:

1. Sign up to be a foster--> onetail.org/foster

2. Become a monthly donor for as little as $5/month--> onetail.org/membership

08/15/2024

Board Members wanted!

We are currently looking for individuals with experience in fundraising (through your networks), finance, audit, and DEIB expertise.

You can find more information and sign up to show your interest here: https://lnkd.in/gUsDUf5Y

Join our team and help us continue our lifesaving work in Chicago!

Pictured: Our 2023 Board at the last Houndstooth Ball gala

08/15/2024

Half off all dog, cat, and critter adoptions goes until Saturday!!! Don't forget to browse all the pets we have in foster homes so you don't miss out on gems like Milk Tea(pup) and Kylyn(cat).

To get our HALF OFF discount, fill out an application and set up your meet and greet.

We also have a special in person Half off Dog & Cat Adoption Event! this Saturday at our Adoption Center where you can meet dogs and cats ready to go home same day!

onetail.org

08/14/2024

We have a group of wonderfully friendly and sweet dogs coming in today from a struggling partner shelter.

Congo the Dalmatian is looking for a foster home. We also have a Standard Poodle, Great Dane, and several small dogs!

You can see the full list here: https://trello.com/b/MepWSpS5/otat-pets-in-need-of-foster

OTAT provides supplies, transporation when needed, and a community of support for foster homes. We ask for a minimum 2 week commitment- can you help? Email us at [email protected]

08/13/2024

Emily is looking for a temporary foster home!
Saturday August 18-Friday August 23rd.

She LOVES being outside, so if you have a yard that is a plus, though not required as she's living in a foster home without one now.

Emily does well during the day, she can be left free roam and she is housebroken. Other than being a playful and high energy girl, she's got good household manners and would be a lovely guest!

Emily would thrive in a home as the only pet and with no small kids (because she can be jumpy and mouthy when playing).

Email [email protected] if you can temporarily foster Emily- we will provide all supplies and transport if needed!

08/12/2024

Adopt, Foster & Volunteer! 🐱🐰🐶 This limited-edition apparel supports Super Adoption Saturday, the largest adoption event in Chicago, hosted by the Chicagoland Humane Coalition.

Mark your calendars for Saturday, September 28! Rescue organizations from across Chicagoland will unite to help pets like Bunny, Sundae, and Iceland find loving homes. Proceeds from your purchase go towards organizing Super Adoption Saturday and ensuring the best possible outcomes for pets and people.
Join us in making a difference, one pet at a time.
https://www.bonfire.com/super-adoption-fundraiser/

Address

2144 North Wood Street
Chicago, IL
60614

Opening Hours

Wednesday	2pm - 7pm
Thursday	2pm - 7pm
Friday	2pm - 7pm
Saturday	11am - 6pm
Sunday	11am - 3pm

Website

http://onetail.org/

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Videos

Live from our half price adoption event!

How about a Friday miracle? This is the video we received from Chicago Animal Care and Control volunteers about Samara, a dog with pneumonia that was set to be euthanized at 7pm last night if no rescue was found. We were tagged dozens of times in the videos asking us to help. We wanted to, but with our intake center for CACC dogs maxed out, plus two extremely high (think $25,000...) vet bills from two emergency medical CACC dogs from last week- it just didn't seem possible. But then, two things happened... 1. A foster home emailed and said they would take Samara and keep her until adoption. 2. A donor messaged to sponsor her medical bills. Through the power of community we were able to squeeze in another urgent case, and Samara is now safe at the emergency vet! Special thanks to CACC Dog Transfer Team for being their heroes day in and day out. Helps us make the next miracle happen: 1. Sign up to be a foster--> onetail.org/foster 2. Become a monthly donor for as little as $5/month--> onetail.org/membership

Tiny Dog 500

TINY DOG 500 IS BACK (and better than ever)!!! 🏎️💨🏁 Taking place on Sunday, August 11th, this reimagined event will combine the most exciting aspects of both Tiny Dog 500 AND Summer Shake.☀️ There will be comedically competitive races featuring our tiniest canine companions, exciting auctions, raffle prizes, delicious vegan eats, and, of course, plenty of dogs! There are still spectator AND athlete tickets available for this premiere mashup event. Race to get your tickets now -> onetail.org/tinydog24

Tiny Dog 500

TINY DOG 500 IS BACK (and better than ever)!!! 🏁 Taking place on Sunday, August 11th, this reimagined event will combine the most exciting aspects of both Tiny Dog 500 AND Summer Shake.☀️ There will be comedically competitive races featuring our tiniest canine companions, exciting auctions, raffle prizes, delicious vegan eats, and, of course, plenty of dogs! There are still spectator AND athlete tickets available for this premiere mashup event. Race to get your tickets now -> onetail.org/tinydog24

Tiny Dog 500

Sit for Shelter Pets 2024!

Last year, over 400,000 pets were needlessly euthanized in animal shelters across the country simply because they had no place to call home. One Tail at a Time's annual Sit for Shelter Pets raises awareness of the crisis and collects donations so that more lives can be saved. During Sit for Shelter Pets, we will sit quietly together, both in-person and virtually, for 15 minutes and share reflections on the animals we could not or have not yet saved to refocus ourselves on our goal - to heflp as many pets as possible!

If just 6% of people intending to add a pet to their home this year choose to adopt instead of shop, we can completely eliminate needless euthanasia. So we need you. To adopt, to foster, to volunteer, to donate, to spread the word. Whatever you can do, help us close that gap. Help us save them. 💙 -> onetail.org Data credit: Best Friends Animal Society

OTAT Foster Open House until 3pm today! Chuckles and lots of other amazing dogs are here looking for a foster home. Come to 2450 N Western to meet them💙

Announcing One Tail at a Time West Texas

A few weeks ago, we found ourselves at Presidio Animal Shelter in far West Texas. It was already hot in February, and the air conditioning hadn't worked in months. The dogs hadn't been out of their kennels for 14 days, and a tiny, scared puppy sat in a windowless corner without food or water. This, we were told, is the norm. We had been connected to the far West Texas region by a group called The Underground Dog, which has been working since 2019 to move dogs out of those shelters and into areas with more resources. But just a few months ago, we learned The Underground Dog was struggling, and unsure how to move forward to make lasting change. We thought to ourselves - they have to keep going, the dogs need them. So we went to see the shelters ourselves, and one thing became abundantly clear: Far West Texas could use some of that One Tail at a Time magic. We are beyond excited to share that The Underground Dog has become One Tail at a Time West Texas. Now joining One Tail at a Time PDX and Chicago, OTAT West Texas aims to bring local adoptions, local fostering, spay and neuter, and support to a community that needs it so much. We plan to take each shelter in their area no-kill by supporting this new venture through mutual mentorship, funding, and a whole lot of rescue. The goal is to ensure West Texas has its own resources so that we can continue to prioritize our work in Chicago while simultaneously helping the state that is currently responsible for the most shelter deaths in our country. We hope you'll join us. Read more, or make a donation to help---> https://www.onetail.org/westtexas/

Houndstooth Ball 2024 Silent Auction Preview

We’re live at One Tail at a Time’s 15th annual Houndstooth Ball! This is One Tail’s premier dog-friendly gala featuring silent and live auctions, games, merch, and so much more. If you weren’t able to make it tonight, don’t worry! You can still participate in the night’s festivities via the live auction and raffle. -> https://e.givesmart.com/events/AKc/i/

Three weeks ago, on a cold Chicago morning, a passerby was driving his son to school and saw something on the side of the road. Instead of continuing on, they chose to stop. That choice unraveled what has become nothing short of a community manifested miracle. Sugar Snap arrived 19 lbs, unable to walk or lift his head up. He gave us plenty of scares at the emergency vet, receiving 2 emergency blood transfusions, a variety of testing, and so much supportive care. The real story here is about a little dog who showed us all what resilience is all about, the entire veterinary team at Premier Veterinary Group of Chicago, and every single OTAT supporter who donated for this very expensive, life saving, care. Today, after three weeks, Sugar Snap left the emergency hospital walking on his own. He will go to foster with one of the veterinarians who treated him, where he will continue to get healthy and strong. Never underestimate what a group of compassionate like minded folks can accomplish. <3 If you haven't yet, sign up to be a Member for Sugar Snap, and we'll send you a "Team Sugar Snap" sticker---> onetail.org/membreship

Sugar Snap

Good morning from Sugar Snap! He’s gained 4 lbs, is eating and drinking on his own, and has started walking! He has perked up quite a bit and is able to take interest in the things around him which is a really promising step! We are approaching 2 weeks at the emergency vet, and the donations we have received are covering the entirety of his care which is a miracle. If you’d like to help us replenish our emergency fund for the next dog in need: Make a one time donation: onetail.org/donate Become a Member for just $5/month: onetail.org/membership

Standing ✓ Eating on his own ✓ Wagging his tail ✓ We have officially been upgraded to A VERY GOOD DAY today! We are absolutely over the moon to share this update with you all. We are still not even close to being out of the woods, but this is the kind of optimism we wanted to start next week with. <3 Thank you.

Thank you all SO MUCH for the incredible support for our boy Sugar Snap! Here's what we know: -A man and his child saw Sugar Snap lying on the side of the road on their way to school drop off. They picked him up and brought him to the local police station where he was then taken to Chicago Animal Care and Control - that's when we were called. -He currently can't walk or stand on his own, but he is lifting his head to eat like a champ! -He is 19 lbs, when he should be 50lbs + -His blood work and ultrasound came back and so far are not pointing to an obvious underlying cause -He's a fighter, and watching him push himself gives us the cautious optimism we were hoping for! What we don't know: -If there is an underlying medical cause -Where he was found or where he came from -How long he'll need to be at the vet We will continue to bring you Sugar Snap updates, but you'll find more frequent ones on our Instagram, @onetailatatime so be sure to follow us there!

OTAT Hot Ones

We're celebrating 15 years of saving animals at One Tail at a Time this year! Our Co-Founder and Executive Director Heather Owen sat down with Elliott Bambrough for our version of Hot Ones, with some spicy vegan chicken tenders, and questions about what makes OTAT so great! The theme? 1. Heather can't handle her spice 2. OTAT thrives thanks to our community! Watch the full video here: https://youtu.be/JfZ7kUgBvys Hint- it gets real for Heather around minute 29!

Guppy (formerly Boing while at CACC) was urgent at the shelter due to an ear hematoma. He's just 6 months old. We brought him into our rescue, treated his ear, and he's been in foster with Maria and her family since then. This sweet boy belongs wrapped in blankets, with couch privileges, and unlimited smooches. We're so grateful we were able to save him. To every donor, volunteer, foster, adopter out there that makes our work possible - Thank you. <3 Guppy will be adoptable this week, you can get your applications in or email [email protected] with questions!