Partner Spotlight: One Tail At A Time
We are thrilled to share all the amazing, lifesaving work accomplished through our 2024 Hansel Help grant to Chicago’s One Tail At A Time. This rescue has a particularly special place in our hearts because it’s where our namesake Hansel was adopted from in 2018!
One Tail At A Time also stands out because of the wide variety of amazing programs they have to help animals and humans in the Chicago area. In addition to rescuing and finding foster and forever homes for dogs, cats, rabbits, and guinea pigs, One Tail has special programs CRISP (Chicagoland Rescue Intervention & Support Program) and Pet Mutual Aid, which help pets stay with their families even in times of financial hardship. CRISP provides aid in emergency situations where a family may need to surrender their pet without assistance with medical care, training, supplies, or even landlord disputes. Pet Mutual Aid, meanwhile, offers vaccine and microchip clinics, plus holds pet food and supply drives. They collaborate with groups that focus on the safety and wellbeing of humans in the community, like Mothers & Men Against Senseless Killing.
At The Hansel Foundation, we know that a huge part of rescuing animals is empowering the humans who love them — helping people helps pets and vice versa. Programs like CRISP and PMA address root causes of the shelter crisis, like the rising cost of vet care and pet supplies and lack of accessible spay/neuter, microchip, and vaccine programs. We are so thrilled that the funds we sent One Tail At A Time were able to be used in a variety of impactful ways — read on to meet the pups we helped.
CRISP Recipients
Clockwise from top left: Isis, Shah, Itty Bitty, Dolph, and Foxy.
Half of our Hansel Help grant went towards CRISP and helped provide medical care for five beloved dogs who already have families. Here are their stories ❤️🩹 .
Isis: This beautiful girl was treated for pyometra — a dangerous infection of the uterus that is a medical emergency — when money was tight for her family as her owner was getting back on their feet after being laid off. Her human shares, "Isis is my first baby. She so sweet, gentle and pure. Her happiness to see me every day brings me joy. She’s been here for me in so many ways and I’m just as grateful for her as she is for me. I would honestly do anything for her. I have a daughter who’s 5 and they’ve been inseparable since before she could walk. Isis has always been so patient with her and all of her craziness. They eat together, sleep and cuddle together, she’s a part of our family. Not seeing her well hurts my heart honestly because I can’t imagine losing her, she means the world to me!"
Shah: Our One Tail contact shares, "Shah escaped from his yard and was hit by two cars, leaving him with a badly broken pelvis. His family was devastated and started a GoFundMe to try to raise the thousands needed to cover his surgery. Thanks to The Hansel Foundation and Kodiak Care funds, CRISP was able to cover the difference and ensure Shah got the surgery he needed." His family says, "Shah is our son; my partner is a marine corps veteran and has helped him with his mental health and PTSD. Shah has helped me, a new social worker to the field, cope with the trauma and challenges of helping my community and clients I see on a regular basis. Shah has shown us what it means to be carefree, goofy, and unapologetically ourselves like he is."
Itty Bitty: This adorable puppy was treated for an aural hematoma he developed after being bullied by his littermates. His family writes, "Our dog, Itty Bitty, is more than a pet; he's family. His unconditional love and loyalty have been a constant source of joy and comfort, especially for my grandchildren who live with me. We faced a heartbreaking moment when we feared we may not be able to afford medical services for our beloved companion. This assistance was a lifeline, and we are so grateful."
Dolph: This handsome dude swallowed a ball — oops! — and his family needed financial support for the lifesaving foreign body removal surgery. We’re so relieved they got it!
Foxy: The One Tail At A Time team writes, "Foxy's owner could tell something was wrong and brought Foxy to One Tail's Ellis Veterinary Clinic. While the clinic is not open to the public, OTAT's vet connected Foxy's owner with CRISP's services and Foxy was able to be seen and treated immediately and sent home happy and healthy."
Rescued by One Tail At A Time
Clockwise from top left: Maeve, Iceland, Oreo, Roger, Almond Joy, Tupper, and Emily in the center.
The rest of our grant was split evenly between Pet Mutual Aid (to help provide resources like pet supplies and vaccines) and care for dogs One Tail At A Time has rescued from Chicago Animal Care and Control. Six out of the seven dogs that benefitted from Hansel Help are still looking for their forever homes — could you be their family?
Maeve (adopt her here): Mushy cuddle bug Maeve is 4 years old with some special needs, like anxiety and two heart defects, meaning she is on medication and needs to keep exercise to a lower level. She loves to give kisses and carry her toys around, and she’s only 46 pounds! Her adoption fee has been sponsored by another amazing donor.
Iceland: Okay, first we have to address that eyebrow. Iceland is truly a special girl, even if she may always look like she’s judging you! One Tail helped her recover from an upper respiratory infection and being underweight, and got her happily to her forever home. She has the sweetest adoption story, too: her future adopter, Doug, met Iceland and her foster parents at the park but didn’t get their contact info. Doug knew he was the perfect family for Iceland, and so he put up signs around the neighborhood that read “Are you fostering a white pit bull?” until they could connect again!
Oreo (adopt her here): Stunning Miss Oreo is a long stay at the rescue. This super smart 7-year-old would do best as the only dog in an adults-only home. She’s had some medical needs and loves to snuggle! Plus, her adoption fee has been sponsored by a volunteer who adores her.
Roger (adopt him here): This gorgeous brindle 2-year-old is super friendly with other dogs, but very high energy! He is currently on medication for anxiety and would do best in a home with adults or kids over 12. He also does well with kitties!
Almond Joy (adopt her here): This sweet 2-year-old is patiently awaiting her forever home. Almond Joy is well crate trained and housebroken, loves tug of war, and looks great in pink! She’d do best in an adults-only home and is more comfortable around women. Her adoption fee has been sponsored by another amazing donor.
Tupper (adopt him here): Tupper was found stray and brought to Chicago Animal Care & Control. He was immediately happy and friendly despite clearly having a rough previous life — he was very skinny and not quite sure what those “toy” things were. One Tail At A Time development manager Stephanie shares “Tupper was an immediate volunteer and staff favorite upon arriving at OTAT's ISO (In Search of) Foster House. He spent about two weeks there while receiving treatment for his various medical issues, which included an upper respiratory infection, happy tail, fly strikes on his ears AND a hematoma at his neuter incision site (his neuter was done by another shelter before coming to OTAT). Throughout it all he remained happy and playful!” After an adoption that ended up not working out through no fault of his own, Tupper’s now doing well in his foster home.
Emily (adopt her here): Emily is another long-stay pup (or maybe she’s secretly a bunny?). She’s 3 years old and wants to be “as close to you on the couch as possible.” Emily would do best in an adults-only home without cats. Her adoption fee has been sponsored by another amazing donor!
