#80 in United States, #4 in Illinois, #4 in Chicago
2144 N Wood St, Chicago, IL 60614
Service areas:
Chicago
"I was interested but hesitant to foster after losing my 15 year old pup. However, One Tail at a Time has made me so happy that I did! I know it's cheesy, but they don't just rescue animals here. The unwavering support from both the organization and the community is nothing short of remarkable. It's a collective effort, and the people involved are all willing to do what it takes to do right by our furry friends. Witnessing the dedication of One Tail at a Time has been truly uplifting and inspiring."
— maggie b.
Volunteer / foster
"One tail at a time is such an amazing rescue. The community they have built is nothing short of phenomenal. The fosters, volunteers, adopters and staff care so much about the animals. Not only does one tail help homeless pets but they also have amazing community programs to help animals that already have homes by helping their owners with resources through their pet mutual aid program. One tail has shown that they not only care about the animals but the people attached to them and that’s amazing! Keeping pets in their homes is just as amazing as getting dogs adopted. A small rescue with dedicated staff and the most amazing volunteers/fosters. Chicago is so lucky to have One tail at a time!"
— alejandra m.
Adoptee, Volunteer / foster, Staff member
"I cannot express how amazing One Tail at a Time (OTAT) is when it comes to animal rescue organizations. As a longtime supporter, I've seen them help thousands upon thousands of animals in need -- providing medical care, hospice care, placing in forever homes, and more. In addition to being an amazing rescue organization, they provide support for the humans in the community -- through subsidized or fully-covered vet bills, short-term housing help, and community days for low-income or underserved areas of Chicago. I can't say enough nice things about OTAT. I'll be a supporter for life."
— david b.
Volunteer / foster, Supporter
"best everything"
— kerry p.
Staff member
"I switched to fostering and volunteering with OTAT and I have had such excellent experiences. They provide everything you need to foster and have training shifts and orientation for volunteers and additional training videos online. I love that they keep the dogs in “homes” for their various facilities. The vet has a nice drive up service. All of the staff is so knowledgeable and friendly. You can tell the dogs are happy as well."
— alifia d.
Volunteer / foster, Supporter, Fan
"My daughter volunteers and adopted a dog from One Tail. I have been impressed by the care offered to the animals and the support offered to foster and adoptive “parents.” The work they do in concert with Chicago Animal Care and Control is remarkable."
— harriet f.
Supporter, Fan
"I frequently volunteer at One Tail at a Time in addition to fostering animals. They provide so much support and care to each animal. Through their robust foster program, a facility dedicated to working on dog behavior, vet clinic, and adoption center, they really ensure each pet gets the support they need to thrive. One Tail at a Time doesn’t just save pets, but really loves each pet to make sure they have a happy and successful adoption."
— rachel b.
Volunteer / foster
"OTAT is a great high volume rescue that is supportive to their volunteers, fosters, adopters, community and most importantly the 2000+ animals they rescue every year!"
— susan f.
Volunteer / foster
"I have been a volunteer with One Tail at a Time in Chicago for 16 months and recently became a short term foster home. OTAT has many different opportunities to allow volunteers to connect with the animals both directly and indirectly. They focus on setting each animal up for success through targeted behavioral training programs, comprehensive veterinarian care, and several enrichment/interactive opportunities. As a volunteer, you have the opportunity to meet animals at the start of their rescue and be involved until they are adopted whether that is through volunteering at one of the facilities, fostering, mentoring, etc. OTAT gives animals a chance no matter the circumstances. The staff is great and the animals are even better!"
— whitney r.
Volunteer / foster, Supporter, Fan
"Best place to volunteer at!"
— kate n.
Volunteer / foster
Does your dog ever growl when you walk by their food dish? Maybe they get possessive of treats, carrying them far away and giving you side-eye when you start to approach — or snarling at your other pets or children if they get too close.
As almost every dog owner is aware, the nose of a dog is an amazing thing. Just as they can pick up sounds we can’t hear, their sense of smell and ability to pick up scents is well beyond ours. In fact, dogs have 40 times the number of olfactory receptors as humans.
More than 80 million Americans rely on their service dogs to help them navigate the world. Task-trained assistance animals perform a huge range of life-changing—in many cases, life-saving—services: These dogs act as eyes for visually impaired handlers, provide mobility support, alert to seizures and blood sugar crashes, interrupt anxiety attacks, remind their people to take medications, and so much more.
You thought your dog was house trained. Your home was clean from puddles of pee, those dreaded middle-of-the-night bathroom breaks were behind you, and you loved every minute of dog ownership… until your four-legged best friend started using the bathroom inside again. What’s going on?
Ah, poop. We humans think it’s disgusting… but many of our dogs seem to love the stuff. If you’re wondering why your canine companion tries to eat feces (either their own or that of other animals) you’re not alone!
Do you have a water-loving dog looking to burn some energy? There are countless dog parks to visit throughout our country — but some of them become far too hot in the midday sun to be safe for your pets to play. That’s why we’ve put together a list of some of the best dog water parks throughout the United States! At these locations, your pup can frolic, splash, and swim to their heart’s content.
* All Sniffspot articles are reviewed by certified trainers for quality, please see bottom of article for details *
Does your dog destroy every toy you give them? Is your house littered with remnants of fabric and stuffing of all different sizes? Are you tired of investing in “indestructible” toys only for your pup to still dismantle—or worse, get bored of—them in just a few days?
You’ve been told your dog needs regular exercise. There’s a reason “walking the dog” is a classic daily activity: Frequent excursions give your pup a chance to experience the world, maintain a healthy weight, and — most importantly — spend time with you! Consistent physical activity can also improve their strength, muscle tone, coordination, and mental ability over time.
* All Sniffspot articles are reviewed by certified trainers for quality, please see bottom of article for details *
Many dogs have gotten a bad reputation over the years for being "dangerous breeds." Rottweilers are among them. Like pit bulls and other large, blocky-headed types of dogs, these powerful and beautiful animals are often assumed to be aggressive.
Your dog is reactive. They’ll see another dog, person, or other stimulus in the environment (like a car or bike) while out on a walk and suddenly go crazy at the end of their leash. The barking, lunging, and growling feels embarrassing for you — and it’s clear that your pup isn’t having a great time either.
Does your dog display reactivity to other pets or people? Maybe they’re a new rescue pup and are still settling into your home. Or they were sick growing up, so you missed their critical socialization period. Possibly they’ve had a bad experience after being raised as a normal puppy.
Do you have a reactive dog or suspect you may have one? You’re not alone!
* All Sniffspot articles are reviewed by certified trainers for quality, please see bottom of article for details *
From 2009 to 2020, there was a 40 percent increase in the development of public dog parks. Designated spots for canine exercise have become commonplace in every major city in North America — many pet owners won’t even consider renting an apartment that doesn’t have its own fenced-in pet area for their canine companions.
Thousand Oaks, California has been a safe haven for Sniffspot host, Jen, since childhood. Having grown up in busy Santa Barbara, Jen, an introvert from an early age, would seek out solitude and serenity away from tourists attractions and droves of people visiting from elsewhere. “My grandparents own 60 acres about a 30 minute drive from here, and I grew up spending every summer and every holiday visiting them on the ranch,” Jen explained. “In Santa Barbara, we wouldn't go to the beach on the weekend because that's where everybody was, so you'd find places off the beaten path where the tourists weren't. For me, the ranch was just my happy place.”
Ellen is the host of Country Pasture Getaway, one of Sniffspot's most popular sniff spots. She has taken the time to write up the lessons she has learned about how to be a great sniff spot host.
Just 20 minutes outside of the busy city of Portland, Oregon, and settled right on the banks of the Columbia River, you’ll find what countless visitors have flocked to the area in search of – mountain views, crisp, clean air, and running water for miles. What you might not expect to find, however, is a hidden oasis designed just for dogs and their people, owned and operated by a farming couple and enjoyed by visitors on two legs, and four.
Fran is the host of Ranch Setting, one of Sniffspot's most popular spots. She has taken the time to write up the lessons she has learned about how to be a great Sniffspot host.
Looking for a space to play with your dog no matter what the weather’s like outside? Look no further than our list of the best indoor dog parks in the United States! These climate-controlled spaces are growing in popularity as pet ownership increases throughout the country. As a bonus, many of them also offer dog training, boarding, grooming, or daycare services on the premises.
Looking for the perfect place to play with your dog? We’ve got you covered! It’s hard to narrow down, but we’ve put together some of the best off-leash dog parks throughout the country so you can plan your next adventure — along with a checklist of what to bring, what to know beforehand, and some frequently asked questions.
Looking for the perfect place to play with your dog in Las Vegas? We’ve got you covered! Take a look at the best local dog parks to plan for your next adventure in Sin City.
Looking for the perfect place to play with your dog? We’ve got you covered!
Looking for the perfect place to play with your dog in Portland? We’ve got you covered! Take a look at the best local dog parks and plan for your next adventure in the City of Roses.
Discover the German Shepherd Dog, a breed celebrated for its intelligence, loyalty, and versatility. Known for its impressive size and smooth, graceful movements, German Shepherds excel in various roles, including as guide, therapy, bomb detection, and police dogs, while being a devoted family companion.
Discover the Labrador Retriever, a breed celebrated for its playful nature, affectionate temperament, and trainability. Labradors are known for their friendly demeanor and adaptability, making them perfect family companions and versatile working dogs. As one of the most popular types of retrievers, Labs are ideal companions for various lifestyles and are recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) as an excellent breed for families.
Discover the Golden Retriever, a popular breed celebrated for its affectionate, playful, and trainable nature. Considered a large dog, Golden Retrievers were originally bred in Scotland for hunting and retrieving game beginning in the 1860s. Today, they're recognized by the Kennel Club and the American Kennel Club (AKC) as one of the most beloved companion dog breeds.
Discover the American Staffordshire Terrier, a distinct breed celebrated for its playful, friendly, and loyal nature. Often confused with the Staffordshire Bull Terrier, a separate breed of British origin, the American Staffordshire Terrier (AmStaff) is considered a medium-sized dog. While both breeds share some similarities, the AmStaff is generally larger and has been developed as a distinct breed in the United States.
Discover the Australian Shepherd, an AKC breed celebrated for its trainable, playful, and affectionate nature. Despite its name, the Australian Shepherd is actually a native breed to the United States, originally developed to breed on farms and ranches. Considered a medium dog, Australian Shepherds were bred for herding beginning in the 1950s. As one of the high-energy breeds, Aussies are known for their boundless energy and need for regular exercise, including aerobic exercise.