This Valentine’s Day, more than 30 One Tail at a Time volunteers worked together to deliver 40 Puppy-Grams and Senior-Grams to lucky Valentines all around Chicago! After making their generous donations, folks could surprise loved ones or coworkers with a visit from up to five One Tail at a Time rescue puppies.

Our Puppy-Gram program started in 2017, with just one puppy escorted around the city on Valentine’s Day by OTAT Development Director, Cara. This year, the program became so popular that our visits sold out in record time, so what did we do? One Tail staff and volunteers came together quickly to plan “Senior-Grams,” of course! 

“Everyone loves spending time with puppies, especially on a day like Valentine’s Day,” says Cara. “With all the interest this year, we also saw it as the perfect opportunity to highlight our grey-muzzled friends and spread the word about senior-dog adoption. Seniors have so much love to give, too!”

This year’s program raised over $18,000 (nearly triple last year’s amount!) to support the rescue and care of more homeless pets in need.  The number of “gram” visits was double last year’s!

The detective puppies will spend a little more time with three year-old mama Lady Pinkerton and will be ready for adoption in the coming weeks. Lady P. was rescued in January through a shelter partner in Arkansas.

8-year-old Jake, who made several media appearances promoting this year’s puppy and senior-grams, found his forever home the very next day. Belden, who also helped with senior-gram deliveries this year, is still looking for the perfect family to spend her golden years with!

Missed your chance to send a puppy-gram this year, or just inspired by the cuteness? Check out more ways that you could help a homeless pet right now with a donation of any amount! >>