PROFILE
June 2024
30 Years of Healing
Shannon Miranda saves lives one wet nose at a time
By Meg Wall-Wild
Photos by Melissa Sanderson
Sometimes life deals a blow that makes it feel like the floor has fallen out from under your feet. For Humboldt native Shannon Miranda, in 1994 it was more than a feeling. A fall through a floor on a construction site left him with a broken neck and back and plenty of time to think about those blows. In particular, the prospect of raising a child while wheelchair bound after being told he would never walk again.
Flash forward a year later and not only was Shannon back on his feet, he was taking in others in need of healing. His recovery was spent caring not only for himself and his child, but for animals that had been abandoned. Instead of a life-destroying blow, the accident sparked what became Miranda’s Large and Small Animal Rescue. “I laid around for about 2 years feeling sorry for myself and gaining weight. You either eat yourself to death or you make a difference.” Shannon never looked back. He makes a difference, rescuing an uncountable number of animals in distress. Construction’s loss is Humboldt’s great gain.
Shannon always had a hand in animal welfare, from tending animals as a child to rescuing strays behind Fortuna’s Safeway where he worked. He grew up riding in the area and helped friend Bonnie Tanferani rescue Bureau of Land Management mustangs. After his accident, the Ferndale rescue moved from his own trailer to Coppini’s Dairy, to its current 50-acre location in Fortuna on Sandy Prairie Road/Drake Hill Road. The nonprofit 501(3)c Miranda’s Rescue grew to accommodate as many critters as it could. “At the beginning, I told myself no more than 5 dogs and 15 cats but that did not last long. There was such need. How do you see a cat alongside the road and say no? Or turn down a momma dog with puppies?”
Shannon’s family, staff, and lots of volunteers pitch in to care for and rehabilitate all kinds of animals from the smallest scared hamster to a wary abused horse. This labor of love is intergenerational, with son Blake handling the day-to-day management of Miranda’s Rescue. Husband Jim Oxborrow picks up feed, makes vet runs, and cleans pens—all the glamourous jobs that are crucial to well-cared for animals. All hands were on deck one hot day when Shannon got the call about 105 Arabian horses in need of immediate help. Complicating the operation: None of them had ever seen a halter before. Despite this, Miranda’s was able to take in 22 of those horses, safely transporting them in 6 trailers over the course of a long 100º F day. Shannon personally halter broke each one before they were adopted. Happy horses and humans!
Miranda’s is a unique place. This is a no kill animal rescue, with rehabilitation and adoption of animals as the main goal. For those beleaguered creatures who suffered abuse or are unable to be placed, sanctuary is offered. As a last resort, only those who cannot be helped are assisted across the Rainbow Bridge by the kind vets of Ferndale and Fortuna. From start to finish, Shannon set up a system of love.
His ability to meld family with business is impressive but to keep it all funded is a herculean task. The rescue is not eligible for government shelter funding as it is a rescue that cares for animals long term. Shannon has had to kick it up a few notches with creative ways to raise funds. The name Miranda’s Rescue Thrift Store conjures up bargains found in any of its four locations (Arcata, Eureka, Fortuna and McKinleyville). The ultimate in recycling, your purchases can fund animal feed, veterinarian care, and building kennels. Supporting rescues can be as simple as donating that interview suit that no longer suits your needs. Think of its value in doggie treats! Or stop in at Costco on the first Saturday of the month (noon-3 pm) to drop off donations of any type. If you went overboard on sparking joy and have no clothes or household goods to spare, Miranda’s website (mirandasrescue.org) has a handy list of Costco items they regularly use.
Shannon relies on his dedicated volunteers whose ranks you can join with a quick phone call. You can get doggie love and kitty purrs on a regular basis. Bring that non-driving friend who is in danger of becoming housebound. Tending to fuzzballs may be just what they need. Although walkies with nose boops are a volunteer staple, construction prowess and electrical wizardry are needed too.
In the thirty years since Shannon took in that first frightened dog, Miranda’s Rescue has saved a constant stream of animals in need of safety. Think of the many nuzzles from adopted cats, dogs, birds, horses, lizards, llamas, and more! Each rescue resident has their own story. Some are handed over because they developed behavioral problems, like dogs who experience debilitating anxiety being alone while their human is at work. Their former humans are updated as they are retrained and rehomed with new humans so all involved can lead happy lives. The sanctuary also gives safety to those who just need protection. Like the camel. (A camel!) If an animal needs help, Miranda’s provides.
It’s not only animals in need that are helped, but humans too. Miranda’s outreach record includes working with high school mentoring, foster care transition, community service, and senior centers. Shannon provides space for foster children to receive therapy with horses that were abused. Love can heal painful wounds no matter what size the heart. It is no wonder that when asked to finish the sentence that begins “My Humboldt life…” Shannon did not hesitate. “Has been absolutely amazing!”
Miranda’s track record speaks for itself, being named the Best Sanctuary for Abused Animals in Northern California (California State Assembly). But this special place along the Eel River can only hold so many animals. Being a no kill site means that Miranda’s sometimes has the heartbreaking task of turning away animals and humans in need. You can help with that poignant problem.
Is that an empty hole in your heart from when your beloved labradoodle passed away two years ago? Shannon was named one of Humboldt County’s Heroes by the Red Cross. He will know you are the hero if you adopt a new family member that will dig up your yard while filling up that hole. So will we.
Miranda’s Rescue
1603 Sandy Prairie Road
Fortuna CA 95540
(707) 725-4449
mirandasrescue.org
Thrift shops located in Fortuna, Eureka and Arcata