Eureka, CA — June 29, 2026 Humboldt County Sheriff William Hansel delivered a detailed update Monday on the ongoing criminal investigation into Miranda’s Rescue Animal Sanctuary in Fortuna, highlighting the discovery of mass graves containing dozens of dogs and the alleged violation of agreements made with shelters, rescues, and individuals who surrendered animals. According to the Sheriff, Miranda’s Rescue marketed itself as a sanctuary where animals could either be adopted

A once-celebrated Northern California animal sanctuary that operated for nearly three decades is now at the center of a sprawling multi-agency criminal investigation into allegations of animal cruelty, fraud, conspiracy, and theft. Miranda’s Rescue, a self-described “no-kill” facility in Fortuna, has come under intense scrutiny after investigators uncovered dozens of animal remains on the property, with hundreds more dogs unaccounted for.