EDUCATE

Humane Education

NiSHA’s Humane Education program focuses on teaching young people the value of humane thinking. Our program includes animal safety, compassionate living, animal adoption, and our responsibilities towards animal companions. Summer programs include Read to Me. . . ow, Humane Education in Art (HEArt), Books and Barks in the Park,  Animal Explorers, and more!

 Summer Programs

You can now sign up for our 2024 summer programs. Animal Explorers, Read to Me...ow, Connect and Care, and more! Click HERE for more information.

Junior Mentorship

NiSHA’s Connect and Care Summer Youth Volunteer Program is for youth ages 12-16. This program offers volunteering and direct, hands-on work and instruction at the shelter. Its goal is to teach youth about animal shelters, proper care and handling of the animals in our care, and kindness and respect for all  animals. Find out more HERE.


NiSHA Scholarships

Thanks to the Jaeger family, NiSHA offers an annual scholarship to students or community members interested in pursuing studies or training in an animal related field. High School Seniors, current college students, or year-round Nantucket Residents who are pursuing ongoing education opportunities are encouraged to apply. The applications are due April 1st, and the link to the details is here.

How Kids Can Help

Shelter Animal Enrichment: Please help keep our shelter and foster animals happy and entertained!
  • There are wonderful ideas online about creating enriching toys for shelter pets using materials you may already have at home.
  • Collect materials that can be made into enrichment items: toilet paper and paper towel tubes, newspaper, pvc pipe, etc.
  • Send us a video of how you made the enriching toy or game and we can share it with our followers.
At-home Animal-themed Activities:
  • Keep an animal journal about the animals you see in your day to day life.
  • Walk with your dog on a Nantucket trail and report back on how you liked it: list the pros and cons of the trails from the dog’s point of view.
  • Make an alphabet animal scavenger hunt. Find and take pictures of animals/animal-related objects and create a Nantucket animal album. 
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