The news in May of a felony animal abuse investigation into a “no-kill” animal rescue facility in Humboldt County spread worry among staffs at dozens of shelters in California that sent animals there, including Hitchcock Road Animal Services, a joint facility of the County of Monterey and the City of Salinas.
Between 2020 and March of this year, HRAS sent 85 dogs to the rescue in hopes it would give the dogs a better chance at finding homes. In the wake of the investigation by the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office and state and federal officials, HRAS staff traveled to Miranda’s Rescue on June 14 and successfully retrieved three dogs sent there in March: Kat, Zorra and Skipper. All three were in good condition.
On July 8, they learned the fate of two more dogs, Hana and Mary, who were transferred in February. Humboldt County Sheriffs informed HRAS that both dogs were found deceased during a recent warrant search on the property.
Animal Services Administrator Cindy Burnham says Miranda’s Rescue founder, Shannon Miranda, lied to HRAS, claiming that at least one of the two dead dogs had been placed in a home.
“This is obviously a huge breach of trust because we trusted them to save these dogs and provide them a forever home, then we were lied to – that hurts,” Burnham says.
She has arranged for staff and volunteers, many of whom worked with the dogs, to access counseling with the Monterey County Behavioral Health Bureau. Working for a shelter comes with the reality that some animals won’t make it, but the nature of the Miranda’s Rescue situation felt like more support was needed.
The criminal investigation is ongoing.