United States of America

117 Dogs Found Dead at 'No-Kill' Shelter in California

Was this a criminal betrayal of animal welfare or a misunderstood operation deserving due process?

JUN 29·Updated JUN 30

117 Dogs Found Dead at 'No-Kill' Shelter in California

Story

Above: Investigators searched after animals remains at Miranda's Rescue in Fortuna on June 23. Image credit: Stephen Lam/San Francisco Chronicle/Getty Images

The Facts

The Humboldt County Sheriff's Office announced Friday that 117 intact canine remains were recovered from two excavation sites at Miranda's Rescue Animal Sanctuary, in Fortuna, California. An additional 21 skulls, hundreds of bones and more than 600 dog collars were also found on the property.
People
Express
Forensic veterinarians and U.S. Department of Agriculture representatives X-rayed 70 of the recovered dogs on site, with preliminary findings indicating that many showed evidence of bullet fragments. The cause of death for a significant number of the animals was determined to be gunshot wounds.
CNN
Newsmax
Investigators have identified an area inside a barn on the property where they believe the dogs were likely killed. Additional remains in advanced stages of decomposition were found in the same field but were not removed due to their condition.
NBC
Audacy
The Humboldt County Sheriff's Office opened its investigation in April after receiving "credible information" alleging felony animal abuse, animal cruelty, fraud and conspiracy at Miranda's Rescue. Two animal advocates, one of whom used trail cameras on adjoining property, initially tipped off authorities.
Independent
Fox17-West Michigan
Investigators determined that Miranda's Rescue had taken in more than 900 animals since the start of 2025, with only around 116 adoptions recorded, leaving more than 700 animals unaccounted for. The shelter collected fees from animal transfers as well as public donations.
Sfchronicle
International Business Times
Shelter founder Shannon Miranda stated in a June 18 website post that the facility is "a no-kill rescue" that euthanizes only in cases of terminal illness or serious danger to others. No criminal charges have yet been filed.
Scripps News
Ynet

Sources Split

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CENTER

RIGHT

ESTAB
CRIT

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PRO
ESTAB

The Spin

Narrative A

Miranda's Rescue was taking in hundreds of dogs and shooting them dead, then burying the bodies in mass graves on a 50-acre property while marketing itself as a no-kill shelter. Forensic X-rays confirmed bullet fragments in dozens of remains, and over 600 dog collars were found near a barn investigators believe was a kill site. Donors and shelters trusted this operation with animals' lives, and that trust was catastrophically betrayed.

ABC News

Dominic Dyer on X

NBC

Narrative B

This whole situation raises the question — why did authorities not uncover the animal abuse at Miranda's Rescue sooner? Between January 2025 and spring 2026, over 900 dogs were legally transferred to the sanctuary, with owner Shannon Miranda claiming the animals were adopted out while collecting thousands in surrender and training fees for each dog. Tackling individual shelters isn't enough; greater accountability and transparency must be demanded from organizations that claim to protect animal welfare.

Matt Van Swol on X

Newsmax

Mike Netter on X

Narrative C

Miranda's Rescue acted in good faith, only euthanizing terminally ill or dangerous animals as any shelter must. No charges have been filed, and investigators' "kill site" theory remains unproven pending full forensic review. The sanctuary deserves due process before being condemned in the court of public opinion.