Sequoia Humane Society Issues Statement Amid Miranda’s Rescue Investigation
Press release from the Sequoia Humane Society:
Sequoia Humane Society remains focused and steadfast on our mission to provide humane care, responsible placement, and pathways to safe and loving homes for homeless animals within our community.
As a small independent nonprofit shelter originally established more than 50 years ago in a former California Highway Patrol building, our facility was designed to humanely house approximately 25 to 30 dogs under 30 pounds, six kennels for dogs over 30 pounds, and communal cattery space for adult cats and 8 litters of kittens in our nursery. These capacity limitations have a direct impact on how we responsibly manage humane care standards, medical oversight, staffing resources, and animal welfare.
Sequoia Humane Society is an independent nonprofit organization, governed with oversight from a volunteer board of directors, and does not operate under a mandatory county animal control contract requiring unlimited intake capacity. Our priority has always been to serve local animals in need through adoption, foster placement, and humane sheltering.
When space allows, we collaborate with trusted shelter and rescue partners throughout California and parts of the Pacific Northwest to help relieve overcrowding and create additional pathways to adoption for animals at risk. All transfer partners must align with Sequoia Humane Society’s mission, humane care standards, operational capabilities, and compliance practices prior to any approved transfer relationship.
Sequoia Humane Society does not currently maintain and has not maintained an active transfer partnership or ongoing transfer relationship with Miranda’s Rescue.
We maintain detailed records for all animals accepted into our care, including local surrenders, foster placements, adoptions, and approved shelter transfers. Transfer agreements include transfer of ownership, medical records, behavioral information, and microchip documentation.
The majority of animals placed through Sequoia Humane Society are adopted directly onsite at our shelter facility, with some approved placements occurring through community mobile adoption events. Every adoption is documented within our shelter management system, a platform commonly used throughout the animal welfare community, and includes adoption agreements, vaccination records, medical history, and microchip documentation. All animals adopted through Sequoia Humane Society are spayed or neutered, vaccinated, microchipped, and provided rabies vaccinations in accordance with California law prior to adoption unless medically exempt under veterinary guidance.
Our 2025 and 2026 records reflect documented adoption outcomes across both dogs and cats, demonstrating our continued commitment to responsible placement and humane care. One of our most successful programs is Foster to Adopt, which allows families and animals time to adjust prior to final adoption. If an executed adoption agreement is not the right fit, animals may safely return to our care and be placed again into appropriate homes. Placement records are maintained long term because animals may return to our shelter at any point during their lifetime.
While we value transparency and regularly celebrate adoption and foster success stories publicly when permitted, we also have a responsibility to protect the privacy and trust of adopters, foster families, and surrendered animal owners. Personal identifying information and adopter details remain confidential and are not publicly disclosed. However, outcomes and placement records are maintained internally and may be reviewed through appropriate legal, regulatory, or organizational processes when required.
Like many communities throughout California, Humboldt County continues to experience challenges related to homeless animals, particularly larger breed dogs that often require additional placement resources and behavioral support. Because our facility was not designed to house large numbers of large breed dogs, our intake capacity for those animals remains limited. When space is available, we continue collaborating with local municipalities, shelters, rescues, and transfer partners to help where responsibly possible.
As a nonprofit organization, Sequoia Humane Society relies heavily on community donations and local adoption support to sustain humane animal care. The actual cost of caring for animals often exceeds adoption fees or any medical cost-sharing assistance associated with vaccinations, spay and neuter services, behavioral support, food, housing, staffing, and ongoing care. Community support has a direct impact on our ability to provide the care animals need.
Any discussions regarding cost assistance are intended only to help offset a portion of required medical and humane animal care expenses associated with California compliance standards and responsible sheltering practices. These discussions support humane care and medical treatment and are never intended to generate profit.
Currently, Sequoia Humane Society has not charged transfer fees to or from approved transfer partners.
Serving homeless and at-risk animals throughout Humboldt County remains our priority, and we remain committed to working alongside community partners to help address local animal welfare needs while operating within humane care and facility capacity standards.
Adoption outcomes have significantly increased compared to the previous year thanks to the incredible support of the Humboldt County community, including fosters, volunteers, adopters, and donors who continue opening their homes and hearts to animals in need.
We understand the concern many community members have regarding ongoing animal welfare investigations within California. While Sequoia Humane Society is not involved in those investigations and cannot comment on allegations, we support transparency, accountability, and humane standards of care within the animal welfare community.
We also recognize that the long-term solution for Humboldt County’s growing animal welfare needs requires expanded infrastructure, regional collaboration, and sustainable community investment. Sequoia Humane Society has been actively working over the last several years toward future facility expansion planning that would allow us to humanely increase intake capacity, particularly for larger breed dogs and animals requiring specialized placement support.
With building design, planning, and permitting efforts already underway, Sequoia Humane Society is positioned to break ground on a future expanded facility once funding goals are achieved. The future facility is designed to better serve the evolving needs of our community and the animals who depend on us.
Future expansion plans include expanded medical and wellness services, as well as a humane education and training center designed to strengthen animal welfare engagement within our community and improve access to humane care resources throughout our region, keeping animals safe within our community.
We would also like to recognize and sincerely thank the veterinary professionals, veterinary partners, shelter partners, rescue organizations, municipalities, fosters, volunteers, and animal welfare advocates who continue supporting humane care efforts throughout our region and the state. Their collaboration, trust, medical support, shared resources, and commitment to animal welfare help create lifesaving opportunities for animals both locally and throughout the broader animal welfare community.
Sequoia Humane Society remains grateful for the trusted partnerships and collaborative relationships that support our shared mission of protecting animals and improving animal welfare outcomes for the communities we collectively serve.
We invite donors, community partners, businesses, foundations, and supporters to help us Build a Humane Future for Generations through expanded sheltering capacity, humane education, medical and wellness services, and lifesaving programs for local animals in our community.
To donate or learn more about supporting Sequoia Humane Society’s future growth and community impact, please contact Executive Director Angela Duncan at (707) 442-1782 or email [email protected].
For additional information regarding Sequoia Humane Society’s programs, operations, adoptions, foster opportunities, or community partnerships, please contact:
Angela Duncan
Executive Director
Sequoia Humane Society
Eureka, California
(707) 442-1782To adopt an animal, donate, volunteer, foster, or learn more about our mission to help homeless animals at risk, please visit:
www.sequoiahumane.orgSequoia Humane Society’s mission is to be a community leader in promoting the humane treatment of all animals and ending pet overpopulation by providing a high standard of care through programs such as pet adoption, spay and neuter services, foster care, and community education.
Sequoia Humane Society is a charitable nonprofit organization operating under IRS Section 501(c)(3). Our ability to provide humane care, medical treatment, sheltering, foster support, and adoption services depends greatly on the support, trust, volunteerism, and generosity of our community.
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I read the beginning of this and then realized it was really long…
But it is incredibly written. Good job.
I am hopeful that the heartbreaking situation in Miranda does not discourage adoption and contributions to reputable organizations like this one.
I also hope that confidence can be restored, such that people will feel assured should they ever have to face giving up a pet… As one gets older, there is a concern for the disposition of one’s pets should they outlive their humans. Arrangements should be made, now, if one is older and in this situation.
I hope that the County animal shelter and other shelters will publish such a letter as this.
This county shelter told me that they would rather KILL a cat than to let me adopt one because I had a job and would not be home during normal work hours, so spare me!
How long ago was this? We renovated the cattery as well as evolved our adoption processes. It should be much more welcoming.
Has the Sequoia Humane Society ever used gas chambers to euthanize animals, and if so, in what years, and in what year did it cease…???
And If so, did the gas chambers use CO or Co2…???
Specifically,
Did the Sequoia Humane Society utilize gas chambers in 1998, the year that it/you/they euthanized 4,272 animals, (dogs and cats combined), to a greater or lesser degree…???
A similar event occurred with us many years ago.
Sequoia Human Society vets potential adopters according to their social agenda too.
They did not.
Thank you so much for the kind words. We are currently revising our estate and pet estate trust programs. Would love your input!
The Sequoia humane society is located in the old highway patrol building. It’s a solid but old structure in need of major renovations and or replacing. The society has made the best of what they have, but modern animal care facility upgrades are needed. I urge the community to give what you can, when you can as donations are well spent by this honorable organization.
A month ago you would have said the same thing about Miranda’s.
No, because Miranda’s Rescue has never operated like a professional organization. Millions of dollars has been given to Shannon Miranda blindly. He never attended professional training events. No record keeping regarding the amount of animals he has brought in. No record keeping regarding the amount of animals he has murdered. The Veterinarians who euthanized animals are the only ones with documented evidence. They failed their oath by being silent. They knew how he operated, however, like the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Department and Fortuna Police Department everyone deliberately looked the other way. All the cities who had contracts failed the animals by being negligent. The good old boy mentality caused unbelievable suffering to thousands of animals. Fractured the Animal Welfare Movement that was gaining stem. Treated Shannon Miranda like he was a f”kn Celebrity. The fact he still has animals is absolutely disgusting.
Ask why a fantasy is preferable to reality? Could it be that the reality that no official wants to be seen as putting a dog down even if it is dangerous or unadoptable or to try enforce the law about licensing and control that the public refuses to follow? And having a Shannon Miranda to do the dirty work that government should have been doing allowed the fantasy to keep going?
Veterinarians, like social workers, have a hard negotiation to navigate. Do they do more harm to animals fighting against their owner’s bad behavior and sending the animal into the hands of officials who can’t or won’t cope? Or turn a blind eye to the reality and maybe save what they can? Public opinion is a mob without discretion.
This situation has nothing to do with a “good old boy” network and lots more to do with knowing what reality is. Shannon Miranda is not a member of the “good old boy(s).” He served a function that became a pass. Sequoia Humane Society could act like they do because they can pick and choose who to save. That’s reality.
Your argument is illogical. Soliciting other Animal Shelters & rescues through out California and other states. Making millions with the false intention of adopting them out is Animal Abuse/Cruelty and Fraud. His action are such of a Sociopath. Making an analogy with Sequoia Humane Society is so off the mark. Shannon gave a false impression to the community that he was he was addressing a local need while viciously competing with local groups and slandering them. Accusing others of illegal actions and conduct he himself performed. Redirecting violence towards them. Publicly lying regarding the awards he received. The list goes on…..!
The no record keeping is the third most suspicious thing to me at this point. Like, it was one thing when Miranda was first being accused over a decade ago to say that he was bad at paperwork. But in nearly 15 years to not think “hey I keep getting accused of murdering animals by people who I’m claiming are unstable and unpredictable; I should probably make sure my documentation is solid to protect me since I’m not doing that.” But he didn’t either develop his record keeping skill or hire someone else to do it for him. While I believe many rescues couldn’t have afforded extra help, the rescue’s financial records seem to suggest affordability wasn’t the issue. So at the very least he’s incompetent and lacks self-awareness of his own incompetence. Or he has good reason to not want to improve his documentation.
WRONG, because I volunteered at Sequoia.
SHS have been collecting money from everyone they can, from the county of humboldt, (to the tune of over $14,000 per month from Jan 1 2003 to June 1, 2004, per grand jury report, while under contract), and however much they have collected from everyone else since, by using the promise that it was for saving and accumulating for upgrading, improving and enlarging their tiny obsolete facility, for almost 25 years, and still nothing but big plans and empty promises….
Go figure…
Real soon now, real soon…
Just keep handing over that lucre…!!!
You bet…!!!
Any day now, just not this day…
Maybe it will finally happen after another 25 years,…???
(You know, right around the corner…)
Just keep donating…!!!
And donating… And donating… And donating…
I will believe it when I see it…
I bet that it ain’t EVER gonna happen…
Let’s not kid ourselves…
In 1998, Humboldt County Animal Control impound services for dogs and cats were solely provided by Sequoia Humane Society, on an ongoing contractual basis….
That year, 2,781 dogs and 3,913 cats were taken in by Sequoia Humane Society…
Out of those 6,694 animals impounded or surrendered, 4,272 animals were contractually euthanized by the Sequoia Humane Society in order to satisfy the needs on demand of The County of Humboldt…
(Per the 2004/2005 and 2023/2024 Civil Grand Jury reports…)
So, don’t let the Sequoia Humane Society pull the wool over your eyes, and or mesmerize you, with this proliferation of self-serving, self-soothing hypnotic propaganda…
FFS…!!!
THE SEQUOIA “HUMANE” SOCIETY PERFORMED FOUR THOUSAND, TWO HUNDRED SEVENTY TWO ANIMAL EUTHANIZATIONS IN 1998 ALONE…!!!
THAT’S 4,272 IN TOTAL, NEARLY 2 OUT OF EVERY 3 ANIMALS TAKEN IN, THAT WERE PUT DOWN JUST IN 1998…
THAT’S FUCKING HEINOUS, IN MY HUMBLE OPINION…!!!
WHAT’S “HUMANE” ABOUT THAT…???
MIRANDA’S RESCUE SUDDENLY SEEMS RATHER SAINTLY, IN COMPARISON, DOESN’T IT…!!!???
AND THESE FOLKS ARE NOW ASKING FOR DONATIONS…???
GIVE ME A DAMN BREAK…!!!
OH, THE UNBRIDLED HYPOCRISY…!!!
I used to work in the office here.. you’re unblinded truth speaking is refreshing to read. Even when they stopped killing on site- they were still responsible for the killing of local dogs because they refused to take in a local dog needing rescued. Ask around Humboldt- show of hands… how many people locally have actually successfully surrendered their dog to the Sequoia humane Society? Them taking back a dog you adopted from them in the first place doesn’t count. I’d genuinely like to know what the numbers are year after year after they stopped killing cats and dogs surrendered to them. My guess is zero for a majority of the years… then- ask around and see how many big city rescues have relocated their dogs to SHS and of them how many were small and relatively young. They could probably show you photos of all of them too. Look at the pictures- I bet you MOST of them are small little lap dogs (the “adoptable” ones) who are guaranteed to have a quick turn around time. NOT once while I was there was I ever allowed to accept a local dog in need of rescue. So many crying, desperate people on the phone- locals- who I had to keep saying no to. That’s why I walked away. No one on the board gave a rats ass. They just liked the pats on the back and the great donation and estate money they got to do as they wished with. Nancy Fleming used to drive around in a nice Mercedes that was meant to be a donation for the animals that someone left in their will. I could go on and on about the bs there. The wool is definitely NOT over MY eyes! Grrr.
I distinctly remember that Mercedes that used to be parked every weekday right out front…
It looked like a classic car…
Dark red or maybe maroon colored…
And yes, both my wife and I recall the rumor that they likely utilized gas Chambers to euthanize animals there…
“Carbon monoxide gas chambers were officially banned in California on January 1, 1999 for animal euthanasia, following the passage of a state law in 1998.”
What a coincidence that the Sequoia Humane Society’s euthanizations peaked at 4,272 in 1998, the very last year that euthanizations by carbon monoxide gas chambers we’re legal, and then rapidly decreased from there…
What’s awful is, is that the loophole to use carbon dioxide gas chambers instead of carbon monoxide gas chambers wasn’t fully closed for another 17 years, until 2016…
Is that why the Sequoia Humane Society decided to become a no kill shelter, because euthanizations by veterinary injections would be prohibitively expensive, compared to just using a gas chamber…???
Fuck that worthless piece of shit Shannon Miranda.
Who you obviously have a close personal connection to.
That is a lie.
No connection whatsoever…
Personal or otherwise…
Get your facts straight…
Obviously you can’t handle the truth, and it’s you that must have have a close personal connection to his conspirstorial enemies, not to mention clearly being one of them…
As usual, refusing to see that a person can have a different but valid opinion is what greases the wheels of such venom.
Only MAGAssholes would think that shooting dogs and dumping them in a pit to con money out of people is a “valid opinion.”
Well that does eliminate using energy that having think about what a person says before insulting them. Just declare everything disliked as MAGA and then package it together as evil deserving of your venom.
Hello? The seriously defective issue in your comment was not whether or not what Miranda did was wrong or what TRG said but in assuming that anyone who disagrees with you must be doing so because they are personally involved with your chosen hated person and couldn’t ever have any other reason for saying what they do. It’s the turning of every debate into a soap opera script of cheering or booing stereotyped villains and heros that leads to you giving yourself permission to vent hate filled incivility. What was wrong was confirming this defect by announcing that TRG must have a “close personal connection” when you know nothing of the kind.
The Humane Society is quite rightly distancing themselves from the duplicity and horrors forever to be associated with Miranda’s Rescue. By Mr. Miranda’s own admission the focus is not humane euthanasia in the wake of severe animal over-population it’s intentional cruelty and deception/fraud.
Scary canine gas-chamber stats from the last century 😆 are not even remotely germaine to the distinctions that the SHS is making about how they operate now.
Do you mean “germane”…???
Are you honestly going to use the term “germane” in a discussion of gas chambers being previously used by Sequoia Humane Society in order to minimize the absolute inhumanity and animal cruelty associated with their unbridled use of it, to the potential tune of 4,272 euthanizations in 1998 alone…???
By Sequoia Humane Society not acknowledging their previous history of being a kill shelter that so frequently utilized gas chambers as to euthanize thousands of animals annually, the only facility that they are attempting to distance themselves from is, in fact, their very own facility…
And, your opinion is merely that….
Your opinion.
Just because you say it, doesn’t make it true…
Not that this was my point, but because it was yours…
Ask AI
“Is the discussion of a particular animal shelter’s previous use of gas chambers to euthanize animals, germane to a discussion of another animal shelters questionable use of firearms to euthanize animals?”
AI Overview
“Yes, a shelter’s use of gas chambers is highly germane to a discussion about another shelter’s questionable use of firearms. Both methods fall under the umbrella of institutional animal welfare, euthanasia protocols, and systemic cruelty.
Exploring both practices is relevant for several specific reasons:
Evaluating Humane Standards:
Both gas chambers and firearms are widely condemned by major veterinary organizations, such as the American Veterinary Medical Association and the Association of Shelter Veterinarians, as unacceptable and inhumane methods of ending an animal’s life.
Assessing Policy and Regulation:
Discussing gas chambers contextualizes how animal control agencies operate.
The historical trend shows that public outcry and animal legal defense efforts have forced most U.S. shelters to transition to lethal injections.
Examining Institutional Culture:
Bringing up gas chambers highlights broader systemic issues, such as a facility’s lack of funding, improper staff training, or a disregard for modern veterinary standards when dealing with “problematic” or injured animals.
Identifying Best Practices:
Euthanasia by sodium pentobarbital injection is the gold standard.
Comparing any alternative (whether gas or a firearm) to the veterinary standard of care is the core of any animal welfare debate.”
___________________________________
So much for your theory, and for your opinion, Testy…
It’s been debunked…
You’re welcome…
Kym. Typo tantrum
Hi, I used to work here as the office manager many years ago.. When Nancy Fleming was the ED. I can assure you that the information provided about the history of the Sequoia humane Society IS NOT accurate. While I worked there I learned for the long time kennel staff that it used to be a kill shelter for the county and one of the staff used to have to do the killing.. apparently there were boxes not he outside of the building that people could just put their animals in and close the door… the next day- staff would remove the animal and dispose of the bodies after they were killed. I can NOT stand reading multiple times in this statement that the Sequoia Humane Society has serviced the Humboldt county area from the beginning- this is a lie!! I once said during a board meeting- right to Nancy’s face that we were running the rescue like a damn pet store and was pleading with them to just dedicate only TWO kennels to LOCAL RESCUES ONLY… it was never approved and Nancy told me to never say that in public. I’m so sick of rich ass holes profiting off of the generosity of the hardworking, struggling families. This article really ticks me off and I guess its time I start shouting out what I know about this bs nonprofit too. They have what was called the “dog train” by Rebecca who used to be the head kennel tech and would put her friends names at the top of adoption wait lists and got her job there because her daddy donated a LOT of money to the rescue. She was the judgmental one who refused to let lower income families adopt because they weren’t living at HER standards. I had to turn down local families ALL THE TIME who were desperate (!!) for help with the dog they inherited when an unexpected death occurred in the family, or an injury caused them to have to rehome their pet, or loss of housing, and on and on. I was told to send them to the County or Miranda’s for help because we were “full”… but often we were empty (and our volunteers knew it!!) and just waiting for that “dog train” to show up from down south with “adoptable dogs” that all the wealthy old lady’s in our county WANTED. They’d literally shop around on websites and HAND PICK the cute little dogs to be brought up here to OUR COUNTY to make a profit while the LOCAL dogs are being killed left and right by overcrowding at the county. JUST STOP and think. It’s all shady. Maybe stop lining the pockets of any place with a 501(c)3 and a damn thrift store and focus on the COUNTY ANIMAL SHELTER FIRST. This is all madness and its disgusting. The Sequoia Humane Society has been lying to you for years. I highly doubt things have changed so much today. This press release just seems to me like an attempt to cover their own tracks before the pressure is aimed at them next! It’s time for TOTAL and THOROUGH investigating and accountability AND over-site for ALL nonprofits who claim to be helping animals and humans alike. Enough is enough. I will testify to the things I know in court as well if it comes to it. It made me so mad back then to see this happening. I made friends with a few kennel techs in the back who had worked there for years who also told me some really messed up truths that the public deserved to know about as well. So infuriating!
Ask AI
“At any time prior to January 1, 1999, [Like all of 1998], did the Sequoia Humane Society euthanize dogs and/or cats using a gas chamber?
AI Overview
“The Sequoia Humane Society is currently a no-kill shelter. [2010?]
However, prior to 1999, the answer to your question is yes. Like many animal control agencies across the United States at the time, they utilized a gas chamber for euthanizing dogs and cats before the practice was phased out and subsequently banned in California.
Context and history of this practice in California:
Correction…
The Sequoia Humane Society actually transitioned from being a kill shelter, to officially being a no kill shelter in 2005, not “2010”.
I regret the error…
They should take over Miranda’s rescue and house all their animals there too at least you know everything would be legit confiscate his property and give it to the animal shelter he consent deserve it
Ok from reading everyone else’s comments obviously the whole system needs to be reconstructed here obviously there things that need to be fixed but why not turn that property that’s so negative into a positive if you combined the two sequoia could be a no kill and have more room to help maybe a oversight council to make sure everything is legit?