One Tail at a Time
Our Mission
One Tail at a Time exists to end pet homelessness by making pet ownership a joyful and accessible experience for all. We are dedicated to rescuing animals from overcrowded shelters and providing the resources needed to keep pets in loving forever homes.
Our Story
Born in 2008 in an Albany Park apartment among five friends, our organization began as a backup plan for dogs often overlooked by others. Today, we have evolved into a cooperative, continuing our growth through the unwavering support of our community, fosters, and volunteers who help us serve Chicagoland and beyond.
How We Help
We operate through a diverse network of care, utilizing our Bucktown Adoption Center, our Everyday Adoption Center in the PetSmart South Loop, and a robust foster program that spans Chicagoland. Our model allows us to prioritize the most vulnerable animals, including big, senior, and sick dogs, as well as neonate kittens, while our Pet Mutual Aid program provides community-centric support to help owners keep their pets.
Your Partner in Adoption
We believe in building bridges through a non-judgmental environment, matching you with a companion that truly suits your lifestyle. Whether you are meeting a new friend at one of our centers or connecting with a pet living in a foster home, we are committed to making your adoption experience positive and rewarding. Our team works hard to ensure you feel informed and supported every step of the way.
Join Our Community
Ready to meet your new best friend? Visit our available pets online to see who is waiting for a family, or stop by one of our adoption centers to experience the magic of a rescue connection firsthand. We look forward to helping you start your next chapter together.
- Passionate staff and volunteers
- Supportive foster-to-adopt programs
- Operational disorganization in communication
10/16 - Adopt-A-Pet: One Tail At A Time
Alli Rooney Elisa Harris One Tail at a Time Bucktown Adoption Center: 2144 N Wood St. Check Out: National Adoption Week October 19th-25th PetSmart Everyday Adoption Center located at 1101 S Canal A…
8/27 - From yoga mats to forever homes: How rescue puppy yoga creates connections beyond the shelter
Across the country, rescue puppies are trading kennels for yoga mats as shelters look for new ways to connect animals with future families.
8/9 - Chicago’s First Cat Tour Brings Cat Lovers to Lincoln Square
LINCOLN SQUARE — Cat lovers from across the Chicago area prowled the Lincoln Square neighborhood Saturday, taking in the city’s first-ever neighborhood
7/21 - Urban Pooch Adoption Event - One Tail at a Time
Details Date: August 8 Time: 01:00 pm - 05:00 pm Event Category: Adoption Event, Third-party Event Website: Event Website Venue Urban Pooch Training and Fitness Center 5400 N DamenChicago, Illinois,...
7/12 - Chicago Bark-BQ Bash collects donations for local animal rescues
Organizers Kelly Weekly and Rosa Lugardo joined ABC7, along with Cinderblock Sue, to discuss on Sunday
5/29 - Anxious Shelter Dog Refuses To Go Anywhere Without His Emotional Support Stuffies
“His love of stuffies was pretty much instant!”
5/15 - They Used Cardboard For Warmth In Snow-Covered Dump — Then A Hero Arrived
Huddled in a snow-covered garbage dump in La Loche, a village in Saskatchewan, Canada, a group of four puppy siblings struggled to survive. With no one looking out for them, the pups fended for themselves. They cuddled together and used bits of cardboard for protection, waiting for someone to pass by and offer a helping hand.
11/2 - Joey may be on our of tiniest rescue pets, but he is also one of our toughest ❤️🩹 We recently received an urgent plea about this little 4lb, 4 week old pup. He needs immediate eye surgery, has a distended abdomen (likely parasites), and rough, flaky skin. Like many of the urgent pets we rescue, Joey will require expensive care. Thankfully, our community allows us to say “yes” to pets like him time and time again. December 1st is Giving Tuesday - the most charitable day of giving worldwide - and this year, we hope to raise $175,000 to continue our mission. We invite you to help us reach our goal by becoming a Giving Tuesday Ambassador. Create your own fundraising page and campaign to help us save more pets in need, just like Joey. ⭐️ onetail.org/givingtuesday26 (link in bio) P.S. Giving Tuesday Ambassadors who create a page and collect a donation of any amount by Sunday, November 8th will be entered into a raffle to WIN one of only 3 spots for their rescue pet to be featured on our 18th birthday t-shirt designed by @lafamiliagreen 🎉
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10/24 - Black shelter dogs are often overlooked… Margo was found as a stray, exhausted and run down. I first met Margo at Animal Control and immediately knew I wanted to give her a chance. Margo was transferred to @onetailatatime and I began fostering her. Every day she grew stronger and her personality began to shine. As I prepared to leave the country for vacation, Margo was transferred to a temporary foster that ended up not being so temporary. One day after being in her new home they made it official. Margo was home. She is now named Idgie, and she has two best friends for life.
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10/23 - Discounted adoption fees at our South Loop location continue thru Sunday! Come meet our adoptable dogs and cats and see if you find a match. View adoption profiles at onetail.org and filter by location to see who is at our EAC! Adult dogs have $100 adoption fees and adult cats have waived fees thru Sunday 10/25
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10/22 - Kirby says “I hope you like fun!” 💙 This handsome goofball is at our Bucktown Adoption Center starting today! He is housebroken, cratetrained, and looking for a home with a dog friend! 📍2144 N Wood Street View his full profile at onetail.org
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10/20 - Fashion Icon ⭐️ Ren may only be 3 months old and not even 4lbs, but he knows how to work it! This little baby will be adoptable very soon. If you’re in the market to adopt, keep in mind that we have discounted adoption fees all week long for adult dogs at our PetSmart Everyday Adoption Center ($100) and waived adoption fees for adult cats on-site there, too! Come visit us at 1101 S Canal thru Sunday!
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