The mission of Nantucket Island Safe Harbor for Animals, NiSHA, is to provide shelter and care for animals in need, and to promote animal welfare through humane education, outreach, and advocacy.

Nantucket Island Safe Harbor for Animals (NiSHA) was formed in October, 2011, in order to care for Nantucket’s stray and homeless animal population. A group of volunteers formed the new shelter to ensure that all animals on the island would be cared for until they were reunited with their families or adopted into homes. We formally incorporated on November 17, 2011, and received our 501(c)(3) status on May 15, 2012.

Our facility is located at 11 Crooked Lane where we rent 5 rooms from Offshore Animal Hospital. We have the ability to house approximately 15 cats, 6 dogs, 3-5 rabbits, and assorted ferrets, birds, lizards and other small animals on site, and we utilize foster homes to care for the rest. We also have contracted with the Town of Nantucket to accept stray cats and dogs brought in by the town’s Animal Control Officer.

Our programs include:

1. Animal Shelter. Adoptions, surrenders, stray care, fostering, Land to Sea Pet Rescue.
2. Community Outreach Programs (more info below)
3. Humane Education. Programs for kids year-round. Working with schools, camps, and individual youth. Junior volunteer program. Mentor program.
4. Pet-Assisted Therapy. New program training pet-person therapy teams to work with people in schools, hospitals, libraries, and wherever a pet can help with emotional or physical health and learning.

Sometimes a video is worth a thousand words, and thanks to Yellow Producations, we have one! Watch here.