Nitzana Shelter “For the Animals”

What We Believe In

At “Nitzana – For the Animals,” we operate under the fundamental principle that animals are not objects for exploitation or use, but subjects with their own internal worlds. We believe that caring for them is, first and foremost, a process of mutual healing. The most authentic encounter between a human and an animal occurs at eye level, in a shared space where both parties benefit and grow through the relationship.

For us, the shelter is a living laboratory for learning empathy. We teach participants to identify the emotions and needs of another living being, to listen to their boundaries, and to respect them. Through the tangible responsibility of ensuring animal welfare, youth learn to step outside of themselves and see the “other” as a living, feeling entity. Our central goal is to transform the compassion acquired through these encounters into a transferable life skill (SEL), allowing participants to apply that empathy to human relationships, community dynamics, and the building of a more tolerant and respectful society.

Dedicated Staff

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Animals

Yearly Visitors

What We Do

The shelter functions as a rescue and rehabilitation center, providing a warm home and lifelong medical and behavioral care for approximately 130 farm animals rescued from neglect or abuse. The heart of our activity is rooted in, consistent educational work with Nitzana’s students—including youth from the “Neve Midbar” Youth Village and volunteers. For them, daily animal care is a Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) process where they practice real responsibility, patience, and trust-building while learning to regulate their behavior according to the needs of another.

Simultaneously, we host approximately 10,000 visitors annually from across Israel and across all age groups—from school groups to families—for guided tours based on the values of “The Mutual Approach”. These 90-minute tours are not merely for observation, but are transformative experiences of encounter and reflection on boundaries, fear, and compassion. Through rescue stories and guided interaction, every visitor experiences a profound emotional impact that highlights how caring for animal welfare contributes directly to our development as human beings.

OUR IMPACT

The impact of “Nitzana – For the Animals” extends far beyond animal welfare alone; it strives to create deep social change in the Negev. Through our work with youth from marginalized populations, we succeed in shifting the perception of animals from utilitarian objects to sentient beings. This fosters empathy as a life skill that can be translated into human relationships, family dynamics, and respect for others. Ultimately, the shelter serves as a platform for a shared society, where mutual concern for a living being bridges cultural divides and strengthens social cohesion and community responsibility in the Negev.