The owner of a Northern California animal rescue under investigation after dogs were found shot and buried is asking the public to “hold fire.” Shannon Miranda, founder of Miranda’s Rescue in Fortuna, said he will “vigorously defend” himself as Humboldt County investigators continue reviewing evidence and tips.
The owner of a Northern California animal rescue under investigation after dogs were found shot and buried on the property has publicly pushed back against the allegations, saying he has devoted three decades to animal welfare and intends to “vigorously defend” himself.
Shannon Miranda, the founder of Miranda’s Rescue in Fortuna (Humboldt County), posted a brief statement Thursday on the rescue’s Facebook page after a search warrant affidavit alleged that dogs sent to the self-described no-kill rescue were killed, buried and, in at least one case, falsely reported as adopted.
“Many of you, like me, have been appalled by allegations we’ve read in the media and online,” Miranda wrote in the statement. “Not everything we’re seeing is true.”
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He added: “A legal process is now underway to sort the facts from the lies, and I’m asking you to please hold fire until that process works its way through.”
Miranda said he had cared for thousands of animals and devoted 31 years of his life to the rescue. He said he had been advised by counsel not to comment further.
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The statement appears to be Miranda’s first public response since the sheriff’s office said it was investigating “credible” allegations of felony animal abuse, animal cruelty, fraud and conspiracy involving Miranda’s Rescue, a nonprofit animal rescue on Sandy Prairie Road in Fortuna. The rescue frequently took in animals from Bay Area shelters.
No arrests or criminal charges had been publicly announced as of Friday. The allegations remain under investigation.
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In a separate update, the Sheriff’s Office said detectives are working with partner agencies, reviewing evidence, conducting follow-up interviews and responding to tips from the public.
The agency said it understands the “significant concern” the case has generated in the region and beyond, but said some details cannot be released without jeopardizing the investigation.
“At the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office, we understand the public’s desire for answers and accountability,” Lt. Jesse Taylor said in the statement. “Our investigators are committed to thoroughly examining all evidence and pursuing every credible lead. ”
The Sheriff’s Office asked the public to avoid speculation and rely on official updates from law enforcement. It also said every tip received is documented, assessed and followed up on by investigators.
The public response from Miranda came after new details from a 20-page search warrant affidavit intensified scrutiny on the rescue, which has accepted dogs from shelters across California, including Oakland, Berkeley, Monterey County, Solano County, Napa County and other agencies.
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The affidavit, written by Humboldt County Sheriff’s Detective Julian Aguilera and signed by a judge May 1, says investigators recovered eight dead dogs from the Miranda’s Rescue property, according to Lost Coast Outpost.
The dogs’ remains were covered in dirt and blood, and some had what appeared to be bullet holes in their heads, the affidavit says.
The affidavit says two women, Jennifer Raymond and Jenna Kilby, also known as Jenna Moore, admitted trespassing onto the property at night and digging up the dogs after reviewing trail-camera footage they believed showed carcasses being dumped in a hole.
According to the Times-Standard, the women provided deputies with microchip data, photographs, trail-camera footage and public-records documents from shelters around the state.
Raymond and Kilby have experience working with animals and operate their own rescues. Their actions helped trigger the criminal investigation, though they also exposed themselves to potential legal risk by entering the property without permission.
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The affidavit says six of the eight recovered dogs had microchips. One was Zora, a dog transferred from Oakland Animal Services on March 31.
Oakland officials told investigators Zora was healthy, had no behavioral issues and was expected to be adopted out. But the affidavit says a shelter employee received a photo message from Miranda on April 25 showing Zora on a leash with the message, “Zora adopted.”
Miranda denied killing and dumping the eight dogs when interviewed by deputies. He told investigators he was not truly a no-kill shelter and said he did the best he could with available resources. He also said he generally used a veterinarian to euthanize animals but sometimes used a firearm in emergencies to prevent suffering.
The affidavit says Miranda later acknowledged lying about Zora.
“Based on Shannon‘s not being truthful with Humboldt County sheriff’s office or the Oakland animal shelter, it is my belief that Shannon intentionally killed Zora in order to receive more dogs and the funds that came with the dogs,” Aguilera wrote.
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The affidavit lays out a possible financial motive, saying Miranda’s Rescue took in more than 600 dogs from shelters in the past year and generated an estimated $510,000 in payments. The figure does not include privately surrendered animals.
Oakland Animal Services transferred 445 animals to Miranda’s Rescue between 2023 and 2025.
The Sheriff’s Office said in its initial statement that investigators served the search warrant on May 1 and seized evidence. Animals located on the property, including dogs and cats, were examined by Humboldt County Animal Control and remained under daily monitoring while the investigation continued.
Napa County said Wednesday that its animal shelter was preparing for the possible return of dogs previously transferred to Miranda’s Rescue and was seeking adopters, foster homes and rescue partners to create additional kennel space.
Napa County said it immediately suspended all transfers to Miranda’s Rescue after learning of the investigation and began coordinating with Humboldt County officials.
Napa officials said their shelter transferred an average of 16 dogs per year to Miranda’s Rescue from 2020 to 2025. The shelter said it is evaluating options to support the safety and welfare of dogs it previously transferred, including possible reclamation, but said it is already at its safe holding capacity for dogs.
Other agencies, including Fortuna, Ferndale and Rio Dell, have paused animal services arrangements with Miranda’s Rescue.
Members of the Facebook group Humboldt Lost & Found Pets and other online groups have also begun tracking dogs sent to Miranda’s Rescue, comparing names, photographs and shelter records to determine which animals were adopted and which remain unaccounted for.
Miranda’s Rescue says on its website that it began in 1998 as a nonprofit no-kill rescue, adoption and sanctuary facility and eventually moved to a 50-acre ranch near the Eel River. The site says all cats and dogs are spayed or neutered before placement.
The Sheriff’s Office is asking anyone with information related to Miranda’s Rescue to call the tip line at 707-268-2539 or submit information anonymously by email at hso@co.humboldt.ca.us