Jennifer Raymond, a board member of the Friends of the Berkeley Animal Care Services (FoBACS), vividly recalls the aftermath of a rescue operation: "Lifting those dead dogs’ bodies out of the hole and looking at their little faces…" Her concerns about Miranda’s Rescue, a so-called “no-kill” sanctuary in Fortuna, California, date back to the sanctuary's founding in 1998. Charmaine, one of the dogs Raymond helped rescue, had been brought to Berkeley Animal Care Services as a stray in December 2025 and was transferred to the sanctuary later.
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Since January 2026, hundreds of dogs from various shelters in California have been sent to Miranda’s Rescue. Founder Shannon Miranda charged fees of up to $500 for caring for these animals. Raymond, who established the Humboldt Spay/Neuter Network, has been working for over 20 years to shut down the sanctuary. After moving into a house next to Miranda’s, she and fellow rescuer Jenna Moore trespassed onto the property in April 2026, uncovering serious abuses, including eight recently killed dogs that were still warm.
On April 22, Raymond and Moore handed the remains over to the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office which confirmed it had received credible information supporting allegations of felony animal abuse and cruelty related to the sanctuary. In response, Miranda issued a statement on June 18 claiming to love the animals and stating he had always notified authorities before any necessary euthanasia.
The first search of the sanctuary by the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office took place on May 1, revealing the remains of a horse and suspected dog. In a subsequent search, investigators discovered two mass graves containing 117 dog bodies along with additional canine remains. The U.S. Department of Agriculture conducted examinations that indicated many of the dogs were shot.
Raymond highlighted the lack of adequate homes for the number of dogs Miranda was taking in, citing longstanding rumors of animal deaths and mistreatment. As of now, no criminal charges have been filed against Miranda, and he continues to operate his sanctuary. Humboldt County Sheriff William Honsal noted that Miranda's Rescue is essentially unregulated and no laws exist to shut it down.
Currently, dogs, cats, and birds still reside on the premises, with animal control officers checking in three times a week. Raymond argues that the issues at Miranda’s are symptoms of a more significant problem—overpopulation of animals. Efforts by California to improve animal welfare, such as Governor Gavin Newsom’s Animal Shelter Assistance Act, have focused on reducing euthanasia rates without addressing the root issue. Raymond insists that spaying and neutering pets is essential to mitigate this crisis.
Advocates like the California Animal Welfare Association are calling for stronger regulations for animal shelters. CEO Jill Tucker has pointed out that existing oversight gaps must be addressed to prevent future tragedies. Some animal advocates have called for increased scrutiny of organizations that transfer animals to ensure transparency and accountability.
In a positive development, a dog named Cody, formerly known as Buddy, adopted by Heather Shumaker and her family on June 30, is adjusting well after being rescued from Miranda’s. Shumaker expresses gratitude for Cody's transition into a loving home, demonstrating a hopeful outcome amidst growing concerns surrounding the sanctuary.