What’s the story with Miranda’s Rescue?
What is Miranda’s Rescue?
Located in rural Humboldt County Northern California, Miranda’s Rescue and Sanctuary has been operating as a place for rescue dogs (and cats, horses, and livestock) since it was founded in 1998, by Shannon Miranda. The 50-acre property is in the small town of Fortuna, about 5 hours north of San Francisco.
For decades, the rescue has operated as a sanctuary for dogs from multiple California shelters - including Oakland Animal Services, along with smaller California based rescues. It was supposedly an idyllic refuge for large dogs who otherwise were unlikely to get adopted. At the sanctuary they were cared for and additional training was provided to help them get adopted.
What is going on with Miranda’s now?
On May 1st, the Humboldt county Sheriff’s office issued a search warrant for the property and opened an investigation under allegations of animal abuse, animal cruelty, fraud, and conspiracy.
This whole situation has been deeply upsetting for the rescue community and animal lovers alike.
It’s estimated that over 1,000 dogs were sent to Miranda’s over the years - and there is very little evidence confirming the adoption and whereabouts of many of these dogs.
Has Love’s Legacy Rescue ever sent dogs to Miranda’s?
Unfortunately, two Love’s dogs were sent to Miranda’s in late 2025 - Blu and Igor.
Why were dogs sent there?
In the case of Igor and Blu - these were two wonderful dogs who required very unique adopters. Both dogs had severe separation anxiety that resulted in frequent escapes by jumping fences. They could scale a tall fence faster than a professional parkour athlete. This was especially dangerous in urban areas with traffic. Additionally Blu has a high prey drive, which poses a risk to small animals if he got out. Igor is also dog selective posing another risk.
After learning about Miranda’s rescue in late 2025, the team agreed this would be ideal for both dogs. Other rescues had sent their dogs there and highly recommended them. Given it’s remote location, the team did not visit the property in person, but spoke directly to Shannon Miranda and were told to expect “frequent updates”.
There were multiple points of failure when vetting Miranda’s rescue - the following information is what our rescue found and why he appeared to reputable prior to the current investigation:
Longstanding 501(c)(3) nonprofit Miranda’s Rescue is listed as tax-exempt since March 1999, EIN 68-0417389 (tel:68-0417389), categorized under animal protection/welfare.
Public “no-kill rescue/sanctuary” brandingSelf-described as a rescue/sanctuary, not a shelter, that helped distressed, neglected, abused, and discarded animals.
California State Assembly recognition Miranda’s Rescue claimed, and older reporting repeated, that it was recognized in 2007 by the California State Assembly as “Best Sanctuary for Abused Animals in Northern California.”
Red Cross recognition Older reporting also says the Red Cross named Shannon Miranda one of “Humboldt County’s Heroes.”
Reported high rescue/adoption numbers
A 2014 article said the organization reportedly rescued 866 animals and adopted out 577 the prior year.Shelter/rescue partner references checked out
Hitchcock Road Animal Services/ Monterey County said Miranda’s Rescue had a good reputation when the partnership began and that references had checked out.Humboldt County verification in 2024 showed no reported concerns
HRAS said staff contacted Humboldt County in 2024 to verify Miranda’s Rescue after a rumor, and at that time no concerns or issues were reported and nonprofit status was confirmed.
HRAS reported transferring dogs to Miranda’s Rescue between 2020 and early 2026.
What happened to Blu and Igor?
Upon learning about the investigation and initial findings, the team contacted Miranda to determine the safety of both dogs.
Igor was picked up from Miranda’s rescue and is now in a board and train program while we search for an appropriate foster for him.
Miranda had previously told the rescue that Blu was adopted in early March - but there are no details, no contact information, nothing. Given the seriousness of the situation, two team members drove to Miranda’s on June 23rd.
You can see the video footage of the 60+ dogs still there here.
The team did not find Blu and received no further information. We are still searching for Blu and are deeply concerned about what may have happened to him. Flyers have been posted in nearby towns, we are offering a $1000 reward for credible information on Blu’s whereabouts. We have reported his microchip number and all details to the Sheriff’s office as part of the investigation.
Our team spoke to KQED about the visit and our search for Blu, which has been covered in this KQED article.
What else can be done about this?
There’s an investigation still underway - we are waiting for continued updates from the Sheriff’s office and ultimately to see what charges are pressed.
There are numerous Facebook groups where people are sharing information looking for their dogs sent to Miranda’s and confirming actual adoptions.
We are devastated at what has been uncovered and heart broken over the loss of so many innocent lives - all who were sent there under a complete fabrication.
We hope for the best possible outcome - finding Blu is safe and cared for, and that appropriate charges are made to stop further harm to animals in Miranda’s care.
If you’d like to support this, contact California State Senate District 2 Senator - Mike McGuire. https://sd02.senate.ca.gov/contact
You can also contact the Humboldt County District Attorney districtattorney@co.humboldt.ca.us
When contacting representatives share that you are concerned with the welfare and safety of the 100+ animals still at Miranda’s property. You can also share your concern for the magnitude of fraud, potentially $1M+ and that justice for the animals who have suffered from abuse and cruelty.
Please share this story about Blu far and wide. If you are interested in fostering Igor, apply here.