06/30/2026
We haven't really said much regarding the Miranda's Rescue tragedy, mainly because we wanted to be sure that what was being reported was accurate and not a bunch of hyperbole. Miranda's is an 80 acre Rescue/ Sanctuary in Fortuna, California who take in large amounts of animals (mostly dogs), for large amounts of money, promising to adopt them out or care for them forever at their rescue.
Unfortunately, the accusations are true. All of them. Of the 900 dogs transferred to their care since January 2025, only 121 were adopted out. There are 50 pets still at the rescue. That leaves over 700 dogs unaccounted for. Authorities are on site and have been digging bones, microchips, and carcasses out of mass graves, many with gunshot wounds to the head. A bloody kill area was found in a barn, with a shotgun and ammo, and over 661 dog collars piled up. This is truly sickening.
What makes this so much worse is that the founder, Shannon Miranda lied and people believed him and trusted him. He deceived so many people and organizations! He betrayed his community. For a lot of shelters and families, he was their last hope. He accepted dogs that had languished, overlooked in shelters (for a fee). He accepted owner surrenders (for a larger fee), promising that if their pet wasn't adopted, that it could live out it's life at his sanctuary. He told them that there were long walks with acres to explore, and agility courses to keep them busy. He painted a wonderful picture and people bought it. Shelters fell for it. And they unknowingly handed over the leash to a vile, heartless, con man and killer.
These owners thought that their pets were going to a great place, and many drove hours to deliver their dog to him. One couple with a black pittie had exhausted all efforts to find their friendly boy a home. All nearby rescues and shelters were at capacity. Knowing what the odds were for a 5 y.o. black pitbull to find a forever family, they researched and found what they thought was a perfect solution, and drove 8 hours each way and paid Shannon $2,000.00 to surrender him. They cried the whole way home, but found comfort in feeling like they had done their best to find him a great rescue.
They were among the countless people and organizations to be deceived over the last 3 decades. People who paid large sums of money ($500.00 - $3,000.00!) to ensure their dog's safety and well being, only to find out that it was killed by a bullet in a barn, then thrown into a mass grave or a stream. What Shannon Miranda and his family did is horrendous! They preyed on desperate owners and shelters, then killed innocent animals, all for financial gain.
The anger towards Miranda's is justified. Wanting justice served is justified. Sadness for the lost lives is justified.
But, backlash against rescue's in general is not. The amount of hatred and vitriol that we are seeing regarding rescue's is alarming. I've stopped reading the comments on posts or news articles because it's so hurtful and unhealthy. Our work is hard enough and this situation just compounded everything. We are being called greedy and selfish and "only in it for the money", people are calling for stricter laws and more inspections (though dozens of complaints and calls were made to authorities regarding Miranda's over the years, and ignored), and others are refusing to donate to ANY rescue anymore.
Having been involved in rescue work for decades, we can honestly say that we don't know a single rescuer that has gotten rich. (Well, maybe one, and it's the only local shelter that we know of that charges for owner surrenders...) Most of us live modestly. None of us own a mansion, much less two. We sacrifice our time, our family life, our sleep, our homes and vehicles, and our own money to keep things afloat. (I can honestly say that not only have I never drawn a salary, I've sold my own jewelry and personal belongings to buy hay and pet food when there were no donations.) We care deeply about the animals in our care, and the only animals that are euthanized are sickly, and it's done with dignity and compassion by a veterinarian, with us by their side. They die surrounded by love, just as they lived.
So, please, keep in mind that there are so many more good rescue's than bad! There are so many people dedicated to bettering the lives of animals, who would never mistreat one in their care. People who are on the front lines every single day and night, fighting to keep animals safe and to be their voice.
Shannon Miranda is a monster and an anomaly, and by no means a Rescuer. Calling him one is insulting. Please don't judge us by his sick actions.
The Rescue world is in crisis right now, and we need your support than ever!
Finally, hats off to Jennifer Raymond and Jenna Moore for their undying persistence in uncovering the truth and exposing Miranda's. Also, to Marianna Mullins, whom I think started making complaints against Shannon Miranda almost 25 years ago! They have saved countless lives and the rescue community is indebted to them.
(The photo of the collars was from another post, and made as a representation of the collars found at Miranda's, and not the actual collars on site)
