CHICAGO — An extremely popular Twitter account is helping Bucktown's One Tail at a Time animal shelter save dozens of dogs with a fundraiser.
We Rate Dogs — which has more than 3 million followers who check out ratings of adorable pups — is using GoFundMe to raise $10,000 for One Tail at a Time, at 2144 N. Wood St., and the Shelter Project, a national organization to help animals. The money will be split between the two groups.
The campaign managed to raise more than $1,000 in just an hour when it launched on Monday. Fundraising will continue through Saturday.
"That money can really help us rescue some dogs that need some more vet care, like a surgery or treatment for parvovirus or something like that," said Heather Owen, executive director of One Tail at a Time. "Our volunteers are really excited because they like to see us be able to rescue as many dogs as possible."
The shelter should be able to care for 30 to 40 dogs if the campaign makes its goal and nets $5,000 for One Tail at a Time, Owen said. The shelter is a nonprofit and uses donations to look after animals — many of whom come in sick, Owen said — while trying to find them permanent homes.
This is the first official partnership between One Tail at a Time and We Rate Dogs — but the shelter has gotten help from the Twitter account before.
About six months ago, One Tail at a Time hosted a "Clear the Shelters" event where it sought to get all of its dogs adopted, Owen said. It was wildly successful, with every pup finding a home — except for one, Miguel.
Hoping to find a home for Miguel, One Tail at a Time's staff reached out to We Rate Dogs. The Twitter author shared a photo of the pooch, leading to a flood of responses and love for the shelter and Miguel, Owen said. The dog eventually was adopted.
Donations to the fundraiser can be made online.
For those unable to donate, One Tail at a Time has an adoption center in Bucktown that is run mostly by volunteers, Owen said. The shelter is looking for people who can walk the dogs, socialize them, clean kennels and help with other tasks.
Check out some of the cute pups featured on We Rate Dogs:
This is Miguel. He was the only remaining doggo at the adoption center after the weekend. Let's change that. 12/10https://t.co/P0bO8mCQwN pic.twitter.com/SU4K34NT4M
— WeRateDogs™ (author) (@dog_rates) February 16, 2017
This is Maisie. She isn't going anywhere until you smile. Might even stay a bit after that. 13/10 thank you Maisie pic.twitter.com/VMJbOPgkbI
— WeRateDogs™ (author) (@dog_rates) August 13, 2017
This is Ginger. You're witnessing her overcome her fear of boats. She used the "scream, snug, savor" approach. 13/10 h*ckin inspirational pic.twitter.com/gk8gNqhefL
— WeRateDogs™ (author) (@dog_rates) August 11, 2017
This is Canela. She attempted some fancy porch pics. They were unsuccessful. 13/10 someone help her pic.twitter.com/cLyzpcUcMX
— WeRateDogs™ (author) (@dog_rates) July 19, 2017
We only rate dogs. This is quite clearly a smol broken polar bear. We'd appreciate if you only send dogs. Thank you... 12/10 pic.twitter.com/g2nSyGenG9
— WeRateDogs™ (author) (@dog_rates) May 2, 2017
This is Winnie. She lost her body saving a children's hospital from an avalanche. 13/10 what a h*ckin hero pic.twitter.com/Tf0rh9ZgZe
— WeRateDogs™ (author) (@dog_rates) March 17, 2017
