Nantucket is one of the most incredible places to live, visit, and share with family and friends. Likewise, Nantucket is a fantastic place for our four-legged friends as well! At first, it may seem challenging to vacation on island with a pet, but we’ve put together a list of tips and tricks sure to make it a breeze.
BUDDY KAPPLER
Tips for Renting with a Pet
Pet-friendly options can sometimes be hard to find when looking for a vacation rental on Nantucket. However, here at Fisher Real Estate, we are fortunate to have a wide variety of pet-friendly homes to choose from for your stay.
If you wish to bring your furry family member, service animal, or ESA, please inform your Fisher agent at the beginning of your rental search process. Do note that some non-pet homeowners will allow a dog if it has been previously referenced or is a hypoallergenic breed.
Homeowners will often ask renters choosing to bring a pet to pay a non-refundable pet fee and hold you responsible for any damages inflicted to the home, including any exterior and landscape clean-up.
Check out these pet-friendly homes available for weeks in June through September:
GUS ALLEN
FISHER TIP: Bring your dog brush! Take advantage of the outdoor showers at your rental to wash salt and sand from your dog. Let your pet dry outside and give them a quick brush before returning inside the house. Sand and excess fur in the home may increase cleaning time and your cleaning bill.
You can also take your dog to Geronimo’s to the Dirty Paws Dog Wash for a good scrubbing!
COLBY SULLIVAN
Pet Friendly Inns
If you are looking to stay less than seven nights during the summer, here are a few local inns that accept pets.
The Brass Lantern, 11 North Water Street, brasslanternnantucket.com
Nantucket Resort Collection, 3 Step Lane, nantucketresortcollection.com
Faraway Nantucket, 29 Center Street, farawayhotels.com
29 India House, 29 India House, 29indiahouse.com
The Nantucket Hotel and Resort, 77 Easton Street, thenantuckethotel.com
Blue Iris by Lifehouse, 10 Hussey Street, lifehousehotels.com
SAMMY & GUS ALLEN
Fleas & Ticks
Fleas and Ticks are particularly prevalent in warmer weather. You may see these parasites or flea dirt (black specks) on your pet and in their fur.
On Nantucket, some ticks carry Lyme Disease. Please refer to the Nantucket Health Department’s website to learn more about Lyme Disease and Tick safety on Nantucket.
FISHER TIP: We recommend investing in flea and tick prevention before your arrival on Nantucket. Homeowners may require a note of proof from your dog’s Veterinarian that they have undergone parasitic prevention.
TILLY HEYDT, GREYSON TRUYMAN & BIGGIE WILSON
Once you have secured your pet- friendly vacation rental, rest assured! Nantucket has many fun adventures for you and your pet to enjoy this summer season.
Land Bank Dog Park
The Nantucket Land Bank recently added a dog park to their ever-growing list of exceptional properties. The new dog park features a fenced-in section for small dogs and a separate section for larger dogs. Dogs may run free inside the fences, but pets and owners alike are expected to adhere to park rules while utilizing the space.
Walk the Trails
The Nantucket Conservation Foundation has miles of trails to discover with your dog. The trail’s rules are that dogs be on a leash or must be under the owner’s control.
FISHER TIP: Bring a lint roller with sticky sheets you can remove as they fill up. If you roll this all over your dog right after a walk, you will likely pick up any loose ticks that may have hitched a ride on your pet’s fur. Instead, they should stick right to the sheets for easy, yuck-free disposal!
HONEY O’CALLAGHAN
Beach Days
Most of Nantucket’s beaches are dog-friendly. The rules for dogs and beaches are as follows:
Dogs are not permitted on Nantucket Island beaches where lifeguards or endangered species habitats are present (look out for nesting birds like Piping Plovers). Dogs on a leash are allowed on most of Nantucket’s non-lifeguarded beaches year-round. From April 1st – Aug. 31st, dogs are only permitted before 9:00 a.m. and after 5:00 p.m. in all designated lifeguard areas. Don’t forget to bring along water for your dog too! When they get hot and try to drink ocean water, it is not good and can make them sick!
View our map to see Team Fisher’s favorite beaches on the north, south, and eastern shores.
SAMMY ALLEN
FISHER TIP: If you are like me and have a dog that doesn’t know how to swim (yes, I have a Lab that doesn’t know how!), you can purchase a life vest for them at Tidal Creeks!
LAYLA HATTON
Dog Dining
Nantucket has some dog-friendly establishments where you can dine with your dog.
Easy Street Cantina – 2 Broad Street easystreetcantina.com
Sandbar at Jetties Beach – 4 Bathing Beach Road jettiessandbar.com
Island Kitchen – 1 Chins Way nantucketislandkitchen.com
Millies – 326 Madaket Road milliesnantucket.com
Something Natural – 50 Cliff Road somethingnatural.com
Black-Eyed Susan’s – 10 India Street black-eyedsusans.com
Lemon Press – 41 Main Street lemonpressnantucket.com
The Tavern – 4 Harbor Square nantuckettavern.com
Bartlett’s Farm – 33 Bartlett Road bartlettsfarm.com
Cisco Brewery – 5 Bartlett Farm Road ciscobrewers.com
Lola 41 – 15 South Beach Street lola41.com
Queequeg’s – 6 Oak Street queequegsnantucket.com
Or, The Whale – 38 Main Street otwnantucket.com
The Rose and Crown – 23 South Water Street theroseandcrown.com
Brant Point Grill @ The White Elephant whiteelephantnantucket.com/dining
The Breeze Restaurant @ The Nantucket Hotel thenantuckethotel.com/dining/breeze
Fairgrounds Restaurant – 27 Fairgrounds Road thefaregrounds.com
Oath Pizza – 44 Straight Wharf oathpizza.com
Espresso to Go – 1 Toombs Court nantucketespresso.com
Claudettes Sandwich Shop – 10 Main Street, Siasconset claudettessconset.com
FISHER TIP: You can get frozen dog treats at Island Kitchen and at Jack and Charlie’s.
ABBY BOUCHARD
Dog Retail Shopping
Nantucket has some great pet stores where you can buy specialty treats, food, and the most adorable pet accessories!
The Black Dog General Store – 32 Main Street theblackdog.com
Geronimo’s – 119 Pleasant Street geronimos.com
Pawsitivity – 5 Center Street spreadpawsitivity.com
MILLIE HOLMES
Dog Identification
When traveling with your pet, make sure to have the following with you in case of an emergency
- Updated photo of your pet
- Copies of their health records
- Proof of rabies vaccination
- All pets should be leashed while on Nantucket and be wearing a collar with current contact information
TIP – If you need a name tag made for your pet while you are here, you can find them at Geronimo’s.
BASS GAMMILL
Dog Clean Up
The Town of Nantucket’s General By-Laws requires pet owners to “scoop up” after their pets, both in public places and on property owned by another. Owners may be charged a fine if they do not clean up after their pets. “Section 2a. It shall be the responsibility of each person who owns, possesses or controls a dog to remove and dispose of any feces left by his/her dog on any street, public place or any private property of another. This section shall not apply to a guide dog accompanying any handicapped person.” Please know that a homeowner will require you to clean up after your pet, or you will be charged.
ALBIE GAMMILL
Pet Emergency
Nantucket has a beautiful pet hospital with a fantastic staff! If you think your dog may be sick, call Offshore Animal Hospital at (508) 825-2287. They also have Emergency Technicians on call, so if calling after hours, listen carefully to the recorded message for another number. If your pet wanders away or becomes lost, found animals are often taken to NISHA, located just behind Offshore Animal Hospital.