More than 1,200 dogs from Bay Area shelters were sent to Miranda's Rescue in Fortuna, now under investigation for alleged killings and mass graves. The rescue, which advertised as no-kill, accepted transfer fees and is accused of shooting dogs.
Oakland Animal Services Director Joe DeVries identified a dog named Zora in a mass grave photo. Several shelters, including Oakland, San Jose, and Contra Costa, have severed ties.
- Oakland sent 827 dogs since 2020, paying $376,000 in fees. - San Jose transferred 140 dogs; Santa Clara County sent 107.
- Contra Costa sent 170 dogs, none since October 2025. - Humboldt County Sheriff's Office is investigating; no arrests yet.
The investigation has shaken public shelters across the Bay Area, raising concerns about oversight of rescue partnerships and the fate of hundreds of missing dogs.