A Northern California animal rescue that presented itself as a sanctuary for unwanted dogs is now under investigation after authorities discovered several dogs that had been transferred from Bay Area shelters were shot and buried on the property. The revelations have led Oakland Animal Services and Berkeley Animal Care Services to cut all ties with the rescue, as investigators probe the fate of hundreds of animals sent there over the years.
Investigation Uncovers Disturbing Evidence
The investigation, detailed in a Humboldt County search warrant affidavit obtained by ABC7, began on April 22 when two women contacted the sheriff's office alleging the rescue was primarily motivated by financial gain. One of the women, Jennifer Raymond, who owns a spay-and-neuter clinic in Humboldt County, said she had been monitoring the rescue for years and even bought adjacent property to keep watch. Trail camera footage appeared to show dead dogs being dumped in a field, prompting Raymond and another woman to dig at night on the property. They uncovered eight dead dogs, some with bullet holes in their heads, their bodies still warm. Raymond admitted to trespassing and said she is prepared to face consequences.
Rescue Operator Denies Wrongdoing
The Humboldt County Sheriff's Office confirmed that the Major Crimes Division is investigating Miranda's Rescue in Fortuna, California, on credible allegations of felony animal abuse, animal cruelty, fraud, and conspiracy. As of Friday, no charges had been filed against the rescue's owner or employees. The owner denied killing and dumping the dogs but later told investigators he was not operating a no-kill shelter and had done his best with limited resources. He admitted to sometimes shooting animals himself when immediate action was necessary to prevent suffering, though euthanasia was typically performed by a veterinarian. In a deleted Facebook post, the owner claimed the allegations were not entirely true and vowed to defend himself, stating he had cared for thousands of animals over 31 years.
Financial Motive Suspected
Authorities allege that the rescue received over 600 dogs from shelters in the past year, along with approximately $510,000 in funding. Oakland Animal Services transferred 445 animals to the rescue between 2023 and 2025, generating an estimated $178,000 in payments at about $400 per dog. A Humboldt County investigator wrote in the affidavit that the rescue may have murdered dogs to accept more animals from Oakland for financial gain. Of the eight recovered dogs, six had microchips; one, named Zora, had been transferred from Oakland Animal Services less than a month earlier. The rescue owner had previously sent Oakland a photo of Zora on a leash with the message “Zora adopted” before the dog was found dead.
Shelters Respond with Grief and Action
Oakland and Berkeley officials have stopped transferring dogs to the rescue. Berkeley confirmed that at least 22 dogs had been sent there since the start of 2025, and the city is working to determine their fate. Joe DeVries, director of Oakland Animal Services, expressed devastation: “Just sick to my stomach. There’s been a lot of tears shed here at the shelter. When we see a partner, and we see hope, we put our hope and our trust in them, and to see it violated like that, it’s just devastating.” The surviving animals on the property are being monitored by Humboldt County Animal Control, and the rescue appears to remain operational. No arrests have been made, and the investigation is ongoing.
