Nantucket Safe Harbor for Animals (NiSHA)
Our Mission
At Nantucket Island Safe Harbor for Animals (NiSHA), we are dedicated to rescuing and caring for animals in need while advancing animal wellbeing through education, advocacy, and community outreach. We believe that every animal is valuable and deserves to be treated with love, respect, and dignity.
Our Story
NiSHA was founded in October 2011 by a group of volunteers committed to ensuring all animals on Nantucket received the care they deserved following the closure of the local MSPCA. Since our formal incorporation, we have remained a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, working tirelessly to serve as a compassionate resource for both pets and their people.
How We Care
Our facility at 11 Crooked Lane serves as the heart of our operations, where we provide a safe, structured environment for approximately 25 animals. To ensure every pet receives individual attention, we utilize a robust network of foster homes to expand our capacity. We never turn an animal away and do not euthanize for space, time, or resources.
The Adopter Connection
Choosing to adopt a shelter pet is a life-changing decision that saves a life and brings immeasurable joy. We are proud to support you throughout the process by providing medical care, vaccinations, and microchipping for every animal before they head home. Our goal is to meet you where you are and work together to find a lasting, harmonious match that benefits everyone.
Join Our Family
We invite you to explore our current list of adoptable animals or learn about our diverse community programs. Whether you are looking for a new best friend or hoping to support our mission, we look forward to connecting with you. Please call us at (508) 825-CATS (2287) to schedule an appointment and see who is waiting to steal your heart.
- Community accessibility
- Volunteer opportunities
10/20 - October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month and that includes the animals affected, too💜🐾 NiSHA is proud to partner with A Safe Place in the 𝐒𝐢𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐖𝐢𝐭𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭, hosting a canine silhouette outside our door. You’ll see silhouettes around Nantucket honoring Massachusetts residents who have lost their lives to domestic violence, reminding us that abuse affects the entire family, including its pets. Animals may experience abuse themselves, witness violence against their loved ones, or become a barrier to leaving an unsafe home when survivors have nowhere safe to bring them. Animal cruelty can also be an important warning sign of a pattern of power and control. At NiSHA, we offer emergency boarding for pets when someone needs to leave an unsafe home but doesn't want to leave their beloved companion behind. No one should have to choose between their safety and their pet. Everyone deserves to be safe. If you or someone you know needs help, please reach out to A Safe Place or NiSHA. You are not alone🙏 ☎️A Safe Place 24-hour hotline 508-228-2111 🖥️NiSHA 508-825-2287 EXT 1 or email info@nishanimals.org #domesticviolenceawarenessmonth #petsarefamily #asafeplace #nantucketcommunity #courageoustogether
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10/16 - TOMORROW. PUPPIES! We’ll have seven mixed-breed pups, about 4–5 months old, in a variety of coats. All will be spayed or neutered, microchipped, vetted, and up to date on vaccines. 🎃 PUPKIN MEET & GREET 🎃 📅 TOMORROW Saturday, October 17 📍 11 Crooked Lane, Nantucket — upper back parking lot and yard 🐾 Approved adopters by appointment: 10 AM–12 PM 🐾 General public: 12–2 PM 🍂 Ready to fall in love? We highly recommend getting pre-approved by completing the adoption application. APPLY HERE👉 www.nishanimals.org/adoption or find our link 🔗 in bio👆🏻 𝙏𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙚’𝙨 𝙣𝙤 𝙤𝙗𝙡𝙞𝙜𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙩𝙤 𝙘𝙝𝙤𝙤𝙨𝙚 𝙖 𝙥𝙪𝙥 𝙞𝙛 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙖𝙥𝙥𝙡𝙮! All adoptions begin as trials, and pups go home with food, toys, a crate if needed, and support from our team. If you don’t find your match this time, approved adopters will hear about future Land to Sea arrivals. ❤️ Questions? Call 508-825-2287 ext. 1 or email info@nishanimals.org.
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10/11 - COUNTRY BOY SEEKS A PLACE TO CALL HOME🐾🤠 Ranger’s got the floppy ears, the puppy-dog eyes, and the adventurous spirit. All he’s missing is his forever person! ❤️ This 2-year-old country boy was found as a young stray by Rangers on the Natchez Trace Parkway, and now he’s ready to trade life on the road for a home of his own. 🐶 Ranger’s idea of a good time? Exploring the great outdoors and playing with his dog buddies. He’d love a friendly canine sidekick to show him the ropes, too! He can be a little shy when meeting new people, so he appreciates a slow introduction and someone who lets him settle in at his own pace. Once he’s comfortable, his sweet, goofy, playful personality shines through. 🤠 Ranger’s ideal partner/household: 🌲 Loves walks and outdoor adventures 🐕 Has a friendly dog buddy for him ❤️ Understands that good things take time 🐾 Is ready for a young guy still learning his manners 🚫 No cats, please! ✨Dog-savvy kids who can handle a sturdy, playful pup are welcome. Ranger isn’t looking for a fancy life. Just a little adventure and someone who’ll stick by his side through thick and thin. 𝐇𝐎𝐖 𝐓𝐎 𝐀𝐃𝐎𝐏𝐓 Apply to adopt👉 www.nishanimals.org/adoption ☎️ Call us 508-825-2287 EXT 1 🖥️ Email us info@nishanimals.org 📍Visit us at 11 Crooked Lane, Nantucket, MA #adoptnantucket #nishanimals #nantucketanimalshelter #adoptionsaveslives
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10/9 - ROCCO🐶 Quick Stats📈 Dogs and dog savvy teens/kids ✅ Happy to hang out with just about anyone ✅ No cats❌ Looking for an active family, couple, or singleton 😎 Loves adventure, car rides, watermelon and hard boiled 🥚 eggs! He would love to take his giant ball with him into his new home if possible🎾 We’re keeping this super smart boy as entertained as we can. He’s still learning that not everyone appreciates his enthusiastic 60-pound greeting, so we’re helping him work on his manners. But what Rocco needs is someone to give him a chance! Come meet him💖 Visit www.nishanimals.org/adoption or click our link in bio to apply. Call 508-825-2287 ext 1. #nishanimals #nantucketanimalshelter #adoptme #adoptionsaveslives
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10/5 - OUR MOSAIC IS COMPLETE! 🐾🧩 Hundreds of photos of 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙖𝙣𝙞𝙢𝙖𝙡𝙨 came together to create this beautiful mosaic celebrating the animals we love and the future we’re building for them at NiSHA. And just like the mosaic, our community is coming together to build our new Animal Rescue & Resource Center at 25 Airport Road 🏡🐾 With just $2.5 million left to raise, we’re getting closer! If you’re driving by, take a peek at the progress and help us get to the finish line so we can be in our new home next summer☀️🐶🐱 Visit our Beyond Rescue Capital Campaign website to learn more and see how you can help www.nishanimals.org/beyond-rescue #beyondrescuecapitalcampaign #nishanimals #adoptnantucket #nantucketcommunity
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