The mission of Nantucket Island Safe Harbor for Animals, NiSHA, is to rescue and care for animals in need and to advance animal wellbeing through education, advocacy, and community outreach.

OUR STORY

Nantucket Island Safe Harbor for Animals (NiSHA) was formed in October, 2011, immediately following the closing of the Nantucket MSPCA. A group of volunteers created the new shelter to ensure that all animals on the island were cared for until they were reunited with their families or adopted into new 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 25 animals on site, and we utilize a network of foster homes to care for others. We have contracted with the Town of Nantucket to accept stray cats and dogs brought in by the town’s Animal Control Officer.

From our beginnings as a volunteer-run shelter, NiSHA has grown to include a robust offering of programs for Nantucket pets and their families that include: 

Animal Rescue Adoptions, surrenders, stray care, fostering, Land to Sea Pet Rescue.

Humane Education  Summer and school-year educational programs for kids of all ages.

Community Assistance  Programs that help to ensure pets stay in the loving homes they already have by offering financial and practical assistance to families and seniors.

Pet Partners of Nantucket  Pet-person therapy teams work with people in schools, hospitals, libraries, and wherever a pet can help with emotional or physical health and learning.

OUR VISION

NiSHA envisions a community that cares for animals in need.


NiSHA believes that all animals are valuable and deserve to be treated with love and respect. Our board, staff, and volunteers are fully committed to treating both animals and people with compassion and dignity. Our promise is to meet you where you are and work with you to find solutions to benefit everyone.


No animal in need will ever be turned away. NiSHA does not euthanize for space, time or resources. Further, NiSHA works to end the tragedies associated with pet overpopulation by promoting spay/neuter both on Nantucket and in areas of the country where communities are still struggling to solve this issue.


STAFF

Jessica Castineiras

Exec Director & Founding Member

jessica@nishanimals.org

508-825-2287, ext. 3

Stephanie Henke

Assoc Dir & Founding Member

stephanie@nishanimals.org

508-825-2287, ext. 8

Andrea Morris

Dog Behavior Specialist

andrea@nishanimals.org

508-825-2287 ext. 7

Johanna Black

Animal Welfare Manager

johanna@nishanimals.org

508-825-2287 ext. 1

Stacey Ferris

Client Services Associate

stacey@nishanimals.org

508-825-2287, ext. 102

Susan Richards

Certified Humane Educator

susan@nishanimals.org

508-825-2287 ext. 5

Jackie Feldmann

Adoption & Foster Care Specialist

jackie@nishanimals.org

508-825-2287 ext. 1

Angela Gray

Animal Care Associate



Alexa Derr

Animal Care Associate

alexa@nishanimals.org

Donny Hedges

Animal Care Associate

donald@nishanimals.org

Youssef Roukhmi

Animal Care Associate

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Grace Gottwald Traber

President

Jane Carlin

Vice President

Mary Davis

Secretary

Sally Charpie

Treasurer

David Brown

Neil Foley

Karen Keelan

Neil Marttila

Renee Portnoy

Melanie Powers

Christine Swistro

Judithann Thayer

Eve Wetlaufer

Kim Cassady

Emeritus

Mimi Huber

Emeritus

Jan Jaeger

Emeritus & Founding Member

Scott O'Connor

Emeritus

Pam Murphy

Emeritus & Founding Member

OUR NETWORK PARTNERS

ANNUAL REPORTS

2023

Annual Report

2022

Annual Report

2021

Annual Report

2020

Annual Report

2019

Annual Report

2018

Annual Report

2017

Annual Report

2016

Annual Report

2015

Annual Report

2014

Annual Report

2013

Annual Report

2012

Annual Report
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