When the animal shelter in Itasca County closed in 2018, a group of people who wanted to help find homes for animals came together.

“A few of us met and said we have to do something,” recalled Shannon Anttila, co-founder. “Other shelters mentored us, and helped us become a 501c3 non-profit.”

Great Tails Animal Rescue is the result. And so far, they’ve helped nearly 1000 animals.

And they are looking forward to their own forever home. “We like to give them a second chance,” shared Lacey Paulley, co-founder.

The city of Cohasset donated land to them for a shelter. And they found out at a city council meeting. “You could have heard a pin drop,” Anttila told us about the meeting. “We were stunned, and tears started flowing.”

For the past couple of years, they’ve been working on raising the money for the building.

Through December 31st, they have a matching grant of up to $50,000, thanks to an anonymous donor.

“Hopefully we’ll have our building in the next couple of years,” Paulley said.

Great Tails is the next non-profit supported by our Trees of Hope campaign.

You can donate now to Great Tails here: https://www.wdio.com/trees-of-hope-campaign/

Or during our phone banks on Tuesday, at 5, 6, and 10pm.