One Tail at a Time announced they will be opening their second location (3579 W. Dickens Ave) in early 2019 after securing a new space at Central Park and Dickens Avenue. The space was recently abandoned by its previous tenants and has been vacant for the last year.
OTAT’s original space, known as the Adoption Center, is located in the Bucktown neighborhood. This is where the adoptable dogs are housed while they are waiting to find their forever homes. All other pets, which usually amount to roughly 70 dogs at a time, are placed into foster homes or waiting at the vet to become healthy enough to be adopted.
Heather Owen, One Tail at a Time’s executive director, notes how much of an impact the new space will have on the organization.
“We were looking for a place in the Logan Square neighborhood, as most of our supporters live around here,” said Owen. “The most important piece was that there would be outdoor space for the dogs. Since we are rescuing potentially sick animals, it was really important that we [didn’t] have to walk them in the neighborhood but rather have an enclosed area for them to safely play.”
While the new space is not as large as their Adoption Center, the OTAT team anticipates the facility will be able to host 20 dogs at a time. In the future, they plan to take in kittens as well.
Owens said she loves the new location because it will broaden the organization’s visibility and mission in Logan Square.
“The Adoption Center is tucked away in Bucktown, which is nice because we have more space, but we want people to know we exist and to know the dogs are there and need them,” Owen said. “We hope people will come visit us [at the new location] and take dogs home to foster.”
This space will be dubbed the “isolation center” which will focus on the capacity to care for the most vulnerable dogs in Chicago that need additional care and attention. This new space is specifically for dogs coming straight from the shelter that may be sick or injured, Owen said.
“It’s a safe haven for them before they go to their foster homes or before they are healthy enough to get adopted,” she said.
As OTAT relies heavily on their volunteers, opportunities will be open for those wanting to get involved. They will be looking for people to fill three shifts a day every day caring for the dogs: feeding, cleaning, and socializing. They will also be looking for temporary and long-term foster homes.
“Our capital campaign to raise the funds to make this happen will launch in July, and donors will have an opportunity for naming rights, to honor their pets in murals and other fun ways,” Owen shared. “Our donors will also be welcome to join us in some opening festivities at the location.”
For information on how to donate to One Tail at a Time please visit their donation site.
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