Search warrant alleges rescue shelter took in 600+ dogs — including those from Oakland — generated $510K in past year

Humboldt County sheriff’s deputies executed a search warrant at Miranda’s Rescue earlier this month, launching the first criminal investigation into the nonprofit after two local women uncovered what detectives describe as evidence of intentional dog killings and financial fraud.

The 20-page warrant was signed on May 1 by Superior Court Judge Kelly Neel. Detective Julian Aguilera, the lead detective on the case with the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office, wrote that he believed Miranda’s Rescue founder Shannon Miranda may have “murdered these dogs so that he could accept more from Oakland Animal Services for financial gain,” according to the affidavit obtained this week. Deputies were authorized to search every structure, vehicle, and outbuilding on the 50‑acre property, seize digital devices, compel biometric unlocking, collect financial records dating back to 2001, and inventory all animals on site.

The investigation began after two citizens both of who have experience working with animals, Jennifer Raymond and Jenna Kilby (Moore), conducted their own surveillance and gathered information through public information requests to individual shelters across the state. The women cut through a shared fence, dug up eight dogs from a field on Miranda’s Rescue’s property, and stored the bodies in a freezer. They provided deputies with microchip data, photographs, trail‑camera footage, and public‑records documents from multiple counties.

At least four people interviewed by this reporter claimed they have previously reported concerns about the rescue over the past decade. The warrant contains no reference to any prior complaints, and this is the first time the sheriff’s office has opened a criminal case into the allegations.

What investigators say they found

According to the affidavit, Raymond and Kilby told deputies they believed Miranda was killing dogs to make room for new animals arriving from contracting shelters.

“I learned that Jennifer and Jenna placed trail game cameras to monitor activity on the field just north of Jennifer‘s property. They also cleared and trimmed the lower portion of the hedges to allow surveying Shannon in his field,” said Aguilera. “On April 26, 2026, Jennifer and Jenna watched the surveillance recordings and discovered footage of what they believed were dogs being dumped in a large grave site located in the field. Between 2030 hours and 2100 hours, Jennifer and Jenna trespassed onto Shannon’s property by crossing the hole in the fence. The two dug out eight dogs from a large hole. They described the dogs as warm to the touch; they were bleeding, and some had holes on their heads that resembled gunshot wounds. They believed that the dogs were under Shannon’s care.”

Raymond and Kilby have years of experience working with animals and operate their own rescues. They scanned the dogs and obtained chip information from six of the eight recovered dogs.

One of the dogs recovered, a dog named Zora, had been transferred to Miranda’s Rescue 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.

Miranda told deputies he had euthanized several animals including horses, a yak, a goat, and multiple dogs, and acknowledged using a firearm in what he described as emergencies. He denied killing Zora and said he had adopted her out, a claim investigators say was contradicted by microchip data and statements from Oakland staff. Miranda later admitted to 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,” said Aguilera. “I believe a search of Shannon‘s residence and Miranda‘s Rescue will yield additional evidence, including records, indicating that Shannon violated California Penal Code 5978 based on Shannon killing the dogs for financial gain and failing to provide the exact services guaranteed to his associate.”

Aguilera also noted a concern.

“Based on Shannon being aware of my investigation, I believe that he is prepared and able to destroy evidence that could be obtained with the execution of a search warrant,” he said.

Financial motive outlined

Miranda’s Rescue is advertised as a no‑kill nonprofit animal rescue and sanctuary. Miranda’s Rescue contracts with multiple California shelters, including Oakland Animal Services, Contra Costa County, Solano County, Monterey County, Ferndale, Fortuna, Berkeley Animal Services, Palm Springs, and Rio Dell. Payments range from $400 to $1,450 per dog, depending on the agency. Only one contract with Solano County Animal Care explicitly prohibits euthanizing dogs to create space.

Investigators estimate Miranda’s Rescue received more than 600 dogs in the past year from these shelters alone, generating roughly $510,000 in payments. This data does not include any animals privately surrendered to Miranda‘s Rescue. Oakland Animal Services had transferred 445 animals between 2023 and 2025.

“These numbers are estimated based on documents that were provided to me by Lieutenant Brandon Head with the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office; these documents were obtained by the reporting parties Jenna Kilby and Jennifer Raymond, who submitted a public record request to the above-mentioned entities,” said the warrant.

What deputies were looking for

Deputies searched for veterinary records, intake logs, dog adoption files, financial ledgers, surveillance footage, and tools or blunt objects that could be used in the event of euthanizing a dog or animal. Investigators were also authorized to seize firearms, ammunition, and any digital evidence, including computers, phones, tablets, or surveillance systems. Deputies were also authorized to force entry into locked structures, compel passcodes or biometric unlocking of digital devices, and continue forensic examinations off-site.

The warrant describes the property in detail, listing it as a chain‑link‑fenced sanctuary with kennels, barns, storage containers, a modular home, and Miranda’s two‑story residence marked by an entry arch with a large “M.” Investigators were instructed to photograph and map the site, including all animals, vehicles, and people present during the search.

The sheriff’s office has not released what deputies found on the electronic devices during the operation, whether any additional dogs were recovered, or if they had excavated any sites.

What deputies seized

The warrant lists multiple electronic devices, including an iPhone, iPad, laptop, and flash drive, along with several firearms and ammunition, including a Beretta pistol, Remington shotgun, pellet gun, Ruger rifle, BB gun, and multiple boxes of varying sizes of ammunition that were taken as evidence from the site.

The investigation is ongoing.