Nashville Humane is celebrating our 80th birthday this year!
Our Mission
Founded in 1946, Nashville Humane Association (NHA) is more than a shelter. As an independent, gift-supported 501(c)(3), NHA helps thousands of pets find loving homes each year while working to keep animals healthy, safe, and with their families across Middle Tennessee.
The organization is committed to humane education, reducing pet overpopulation, and maintaining its 98% annual save rate. In addition to pet adoptions, NHA offers low-cost vaccine and spay/neuter clinics, the city’s first 24-hour microchip scanner, a pet food bank, foster care opportunities, and educational resources for pet owners and the broader community. Find out more about our mission here.
About Us
As an entirely gift-based not-for-profit, Nashville Humane relies on contributions from supporters like you to do the work necessary to protect homeless, adoptable, and at-risk pets in Nashville, throughout middle Tennessee and across the globe.
Simply put, we’ve been doing this a very long time. None of the amazing work that we perform daily for pets and their people would be possible without your support. We’re not a government agency; we don’t have the support of a giant national umbrella organization. We’re a small, local shelter that is dedicated to saving lives.
It’s because of your support that we will continue to rescue pets from hoarding cases, neglect and abuse cases, and puppy mills. It’s because of your support that we’re able to provide disaster relief, and support urban and rural animal shelters and rescues. And, it’s because of your support that we will save thousands and thousands of lives every year, with a 98% save rate.
Voted Nashville’s “Best Place to Adopt” year-over-year as well as our city’s favorite charity events, award-winning programming, and so much more. We do it all for you. We are your neighborhood shelter. We are Nashville Humane Association.
Pet
Adoptions
NHA helps families from everywhere meet their perfect shelter pet match. In fact, nearly 4,000 pets find their special someone’s through our robust adoption program.
Pawsitive Impact Program
Whether it’s our Pet Food Bank, training resources, pet medical help, or access to other information and resources, our Pawsitive Impact Program is here to help.
Volunteer Opportunities
Volunteers play a vital role in enabling us in fulfilling our mission to save lives and help pets in Nashville and across the country. From walking dogs, to working events, to helping at the shelter, our volunteers are essential members of the team.
Foster Care
Fosters open their hearts and homes to special pets who may need a little time away from shelter life while they’re recovering from surgery, growing from a tiny baby into a kitten or puppy, or just taking a break from the stress.
Community Events
Whether they’re small community events, such as Pups & Pints or neighborhood festivals, all the way up to one of our four major annual fundraising events, NHA loves our city and we want to be everywhere you are!
Humane Education
Humane education plays an essential role in creating a compassionate and caring society. The first step in responsible pet ownership is learning about how to properly and responsibly care for your pet.
Doggie Dates
Short-term foster opportunities, like Doggie Dates and Rovernights, are great ways for those not in a position to adopt to spend a day at the park or a night at home giving a shelter pet a much-needed break from the shelter.
NHA Online Store
Nashville Humane’s Be Humane online merch store is the perfect place to get that special gift for someone (or yourself!) while also giving back to shelter pets at NHA. Every purchase is actually a donation to the shelter!
