Meet Turkey, the resident Sour Patch Kid™ of the feline world. One minute he’s curled in your lap like a purring angel. The next? He’s ambushing your ankle with all the stealth of a jungle predator who missed naptime. Turkey is what the experts call a “spicy little meatball.” He is equal parts sugar and spite, and he will bite the hand that pets him—but like, not in a mean way. Just in a "you’re part of the food chain now" kind of way.
Why does Turkey bite? Great question. Sometimes he’s overstimulated. Sometimes he’s under-stimulated. Sometimes he just wants to play, and sometimes he's inventing his own rules to a game only he understands. He doesn’t growl, hiss, or throw tantrums—he just… chomps. And then purrs. It’s not personal. He’s just built different.
*Turkey is not for the faint of heart*
He’s not a lasagna-loving Garfield knockoff. He’s more like if Garfield did a stint in Fight Club. He needs daily structured playtime, outdoor enrichment, mental stimulation, and a human who gets that “affection” sometimes includes teeth. (He thinks you’re a cat. You should take that as a compliment.)
He’ll thrive in a home where his quirks are met with patience, humor, and a solid pair of socks. Bonus points if you’ve fostered behaviorally spicy cats before—or just enjoy a little drama with your cuddle sessions.
If you’re the kind of person who reads this and says, “He sounds perfect,” we need to talk. Because Turkey needs you. And because you're probably also a little unhinged, and that's exactly his type.
Dog sociability: Possibly with calm cat-friendly who dog who will respect his boundaries!
Cat sociability: Possibly with very slow proper introduction but who knows? He's kind of a weirdo!
Kid sociability: Likely not a match!
Likes: Wet food, snuggles, short head scratches, watching TV, exploring all the drawers/closets/cabinets, catnip, scratching posts, cardboard boxes, rolling around on the floor, high perches with a window view, being playful, hunting (and gathering), mealtimes and FOOD (did we mention wet food yet?)
Dislikes: Extended petting but also not getting pet enough, having his spotlight stolen, new loud noises, being left alone for too long
Turkey's adoption fee has been sponsored by a generous supporter! All cats are up to date on vaccines, spayed/neutered, and microchipped.
Meet Turkey, the resident Sour Patch Kid™ of the feline world. One minute he’s curled in your lap like a purring angel. The next? He’s ambushing your ankle with all the stealth of a jungle predator who missed naptime. Turkey is what the experts call a “spicy little meatball.” He is equal parts sugar and spite, and he will bite the hand that pets him—but like, not in a mean way. Just in a "you’re part of the food chain now" kind of way.
Why does Turkey bite? Great question. Sometimes he’s overstimulated. Sometimes he’s under-stimulated. Sometimes he just wants to play, and sometimes he's inventing his own rules to a game only he understands. He doesn’t growl, hiss, or throw tantrums—he just… chomps. And then purrs. It’s not personal. He’s just built different.
*Turkey is not for the faint of heart*
He’s not a lasagna-loving Garfield knockoff. He’s more like if Garfield did a stint in Fight Club. He needs daily structured playtime, outdoor enrichment, mental stimulation, and a human who gets that “affection” sometimes includes teeth. (He thinks you’re a cat. You should take that as a compliment.)
He’ll thrive in a home where his quirks are met with patience, humor, and a solid pair of socks. Bonus points if you’ve fostered behaviorally spicy cats before—or just enjoy a little drama with your cuddle sessions.
If you’re the kind of person who reads this and says, “He sounds perfect,” we need to talk. Because Turkey needs you. And because you're probably also a little unhinged, and that's exactly his type.
Dog sociability: Possibly with calm cat-friendly who dog who will respect his boundaries!
Cat sociability: Possibly with very slow proper introduction but who knows? He's kind of a weirdo!
Kid sociability: Likely not a match!
Likes: Wet food, snuggles, short head scratches, watching TV, exploring all the drawers/closets/cabinets, catnip, scratching posts, cardboard boxes, rolling around on the floor, high perches with a window view, being playful, hunting (and gathering), mealtimes and FOOD (did we mention wet food yet?)
Dislikes: Extended petting but also not getting pet enough, having his spotlight stolen, new loud noises, being left alone for too long
Turkey's adoption fee has been sponsored by a generous supporter! All cats are up to date on vaccines, spayed/neutered, and microchipped.
Our Adoption Center is open every Wednesday – Sunday in Bucktown at 2144 N Wood Street, but we are reachable by email 7 days/week!
Our Adoption Center has adoptable dogs. Adoptable cats and bunnies live in foster homes. We work on a first come basis. We are limiting the amount of visitors on site, so you may be asked to be added to the waitlist when you arrive. We require all family members of the household (including any resident dogs with current vaccination records) to be present at the introduction. We recommend being prepared to adopt same-day as the dogs at our Adoption Center are available for direct adoption and we do not “hold” them for specific applicants.
You can view which dogs are currently at our Adoption Center by selecting “adoption center” in the attributes tab on our Available Pets page.
ADOPTION APPOINTMENTS: For dogs, cats, and bunnies living in foster care our Adoption Team will set up adoption appointments with potential adopters after an application is submitted. We do not have cats, bunnies, or guinea pigs living at our Adoption Center (only dogs!)
Our Adoption Center is open every Wednesday – Sunday in Bucktown at 2144 N Wood Street, but we are reachable by email 7 days/week!
Our Adoption Center has adoptable dogs. Adoptable cats and bunnies live in foster homes. We work on a first come basis. We are limiting the amount of visitors on site, so you may be asked to be added to the waitlist when you arrive. We require all family members of the household (including any resident dogs with current vaccination records) to be present at the introduction. We recommend being prepared to adopt same-day as the dogs at our Adoption Center are available for direct adoption and we do not “hold” them for specific applicants.
You can view which dogs are currently at our Adoption Center by selecting “adoption center” in the attributes tab on our Available Pets page.
ADOPTION APPOINTMENTS: For dogs, cats, and bunnies living in foster care our Adoption Team will set up adoption appointments with potential adopters after an application is submitted. We do not have cats, bunnies, or guinea pigs living at our Adoption Center (only dogs!)
More about this shelter
One Tail at a Time (OTAT) started as a backup plan for dogs that were not getting adopted or rescued by other groups in the area shelters. Over the years we have experienced consistent and steady growth: we are among the top transfer partners for dogs at Chicago Animal Care and Control (CACC) and for cats at several open intake shelters in Indiana, we have a robust transport program in which dogs are rescued from high-kill shelters in southern states, and we are even able to pull dogs from a rescue partner in Tulum, Mexico to help them get adopted in the Chicagoland area. Our growth has been, and continues to be, due to the overwhelming support received from our community.
Members enable us to take on complex medical cases and continue to grow our annual intake numbers. Volunteers have continued to line up to foster and care for dogs, cats, rabbits, and guinea pigs, to take on leadership roles, and to help build One Tail at a Time into a well-known and respected rescue organization in Chicago and beyond.
Due to our continuous growth and immensely supportive community of members, volunteers, fosters, adopters, and more, we have evolved into the One Tail at a Time Cooperative!
One Tail at a Time (OTAT) started as a backup plan for dogs that were not getting adopted or rescued by other groups in the area shelters. Over the years we have experienced consistent and steady growth: we are among the top transfer partners for dogs at Chicago Animal Care and Control (CACC) and for cats at several open intake shelters in Indiana, we have a robust transport program in which dogs are rescued from high-kill shelters in southern states, and we are even able to pull dogs from a rescue partner in Tulum, Mexico to help them get adopted in the Chicagoland area. Our growth has been, and continues to be, due to the overwhelming support received from our community.
Members enable us to take on complex medical cases and continue to grow our annual intake numbers. Volunteers have continued to line up to foster and care for dogs, cats, rabbits, and guinea pigs, to take on leadership roles, and to help build One Tail at a Time into a well-known and respected rescue organization in Chicago and beyond.
Due to our continuous growth and immensely supportive community of members, volunteers, fosters, adopters, and more, we have evolved into the One Tail at a Time Cooperative!
Other pets at this
shelter
We'll also keep you updated on Lil' Smokey's adoption status with email updates.
