Eel River Cities Rush to Secure Animal Shelter Help After Miranda's Rescue Probe

Suspension of Animal Transfers to Miranda’s Rescue

Local police departments that previously relied on Miranda’s Rescue for animal sheltering services have suspended all transfers to the facility following an investigation by the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office. Since the investigation began, none of the police departments have reclaimed animals from the nonprofit.

The investigation into Miranda’s Rescue was initiated after the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office received what it described as credible allegations of felony animal abuse, animal cruelty, fraud, and conspiracy on April 22. The Major Crimes Division took over the case due to the severity of the claims, and detectives later obtained a search warrant for the rescue, its business operations, and the on-site residence. On May 1, investigators served the warrant and seized evidence related to the ongoing investigation, according to a release by the sheriff’s office. However, the sheriff’s office has not released any new information regarding the investigation.

“This is still an active investigation, and we are not releasing any information at this time,” said Erin Inskip, a spokesperson for the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office.

Multiple attempts to reach Shannon Miranda and employees at Miranda’s Rescue were unsuccessful.

Contract Fees and Discrepancies

The cities of Fortuna, Ferndale, and Rio Dell each had contracts with Miranda’s Rescue for sheltering services. The fees charged varied significantly, with Rio Dell paying $1,900, Fortuna paying $800, and Ferndale paying $450 per month for the same services. These fees were negotiated separately and do not appear to correlate with population size, leaving Fortuna, the largest city, paying the middle rate. Rio Dell was charged more than twice the contract amount of Fortuna, which has a population four times larger.

Ferndale's Response

The city of Ferndale had a contract with Miranda’s Rescue to take any stray animals they picked up to the facility. The contract fee for the service was $450 a month, regardless of how many animals were brought to the rescue.

“I sent an email out to everybody in the department that they were not to take any animals there,” said Ferndale Police Chief Ron Sligh. “We were informed by the sheriff’s department when they were going to serve the search warrant, and that’s when we suspended our contract with him, and he’s been served notice from the city that we were suspending the contract until his legal troubles are rectified.”

Ferndale transported eight dogs and one cat to Miranda’s Rescue in 2025. Sligh said officers frequently reunite loose dogs with owners before leaving town, reducing the number of animals needing sheltering. He said he has not spoken with Shannon Miranda since the warrant was served.

“I don’t have any information on the dogs that went down there,” Sligh said.

Ferndale has arranged for the Fortuna Police Department to temporarily house dogs while the city works on a solution.

“Right now, we just have an agreement with Fortuna to help us out, and I’ve been working on trying to get a little kennel facility built here at the PD,” Sligh said.

In a follow-up email, Sligh said the city’s $450 monthly contract “was a negotiated contract between Miranda’s and our former city manager,” and that the fee had not changed in more than five years.

Fortuna's Actions

Fortuna Police Chief Matthew Eberhardt said the city paid $800 per month for animal care services. Fortuna transported 35 animals to Miranda’s Rescue in 2025. No animals have been reclaimed since the investigation began. Fortuna is now handling its own animal calls and offering mutual aid to neighboring agencies.

“The agreement also required Miranda’s to maintain and operate a secure and sanitary animal sanctuary, accept eligible animals delivered by the city, and maintain adequate shelter space,” said Eberhardt. “Miranda’s was also responsible for maintaining records related to animals received and their outcomes, providing care and observation for certain animals, and facilitating owner redemption and adoption during appropriate hours as allowed by law.”

The Fortuna Police Department confirmed there was at least one complaint call pertaining to Miranda’s Rescue that had come in before the current investigation, and they had referred the caller to contact the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office.

“The City of Fortuna is currently handling its own animal-related calls for service,” said Eberhardt. “The department is using its existing limited-capacity holding space and is not accepting public surrenders.”

Rio Dell's Situation

Rio Dell Police Chief Josh Pinney said the city paid $1,900 per month for contracted services with the nonprofit Miranda’s Rescue. Rio Dell transported 35 dogs and 13 cats to Miranda’s Rescue in 2025, and 14 dogs, 9 cats, and 1 rabbit in 2026, before the deliveries stopped due to the active investigation. No animals have been reclaimed from Miranda’s Rescue since the investigation began.

“The fee was established through the negotiated contract between the City of Rio Dell and Miranda’s Animal Rescue,” said Pinney. “The agreement ultimately set compensation at $1,900 per month for the contracted services. The amount was requested by Shannon Miranda for services provided.”

The Rio Dell Police Department is not accepting animal surrenders from the public due to the lack of housing options. They encouraged the public to contact local shelters or other nonprofits in those cases.

“The contract with Miranda’s Animal Rescue was for animal sheltering and care services on behalf of the City of Rio Dell,” said Pinney. “This included receiving and housing authorized animals from the city, providing care and treatment, maintaining appropriate shelter and isolation facilities, assisting with owner redemption and adoption processes, and maintaining records related to those services.”

Pinney said the city continues to handle its own animal calls and is working with Fortuna for temporary housing when needed. The department is exploring options for its own short-term holding space.

Animal Transfers to Miranda’s Rescue

• Ferndale: 2025: 8 dogs, 1 cat
• Fortuna: 2025: 35 animals
• Rio Dell: 2025: 35 dogs, 13 cats; 2026: 14 dogs, 9 cats, 1 rabbit

Maranda Vargas can be reached at 707-441-0504.