A few weeks ago, in preparation for my trip to Nantucket for my brother’s wedding, I contacted the local shelter on the island inquiring whether they had any humane education camps going on, or might be interested in me doing an author visit around my non fiction book, What to Expect When Adopting a Dog.

Susan at Nantucket Island Safe Harbor for Animals (NISHA) contacted me back immediately letting me know that they were interested in putting together an event.

They have a lovely humane education department and invited me to do a reading of my kids books. The original plan, weather permitting was to do it out on the lawn, but then the rains came and we went back and forth between doing it in a tiny room inside, or taking our chances and setting up some chairs outside under the eaves.

It was a small but lovely event. A few small children attended, along with a half dozen tweens and teens who are mentees in the volunteer humane ed program. I was treated to a tour of the shelter as well as a little background about their history. NISHA is a mostly foster-based organization, which is wonderful because the dogs in their care get socialized helping them to become more adoptable.

NISHA is currently home to many cats that live at the shelter with only two Coon Hound dogs taking up residence there. The rest of the dogs are either being fostered, or are being fostered with the intent to being adopted by that family!

NISHA is also fabulous in that they receive dogs that are transported from overcrowded shelters in the South. (You can read either of my blogs about Rescue Road, or START to learn more about organizations that transport animals to safety in states and towns that have families ready to adopt them).

I loved reading my books to the kids and doing a short interactive care and safety presentation. I usually use a stuffed dog for the interactive portion, but Gwen, NISHA’s rescued dog ambassador was super helpful for teaching the kids how to safely approach a dog.

Thank you, Susan and NISHA for the amazing work you do to help animals and people on Nantucket and beyond!