Nantucket Safe Harbor For Animals

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.