Headlines

Animal Rescue Operator Charged in Federal Fraud Conspiracy

He’s accused of misrepresenting the health and behavior of animals offered for adoption.

Published

2 years ago

March 30, 2022

PETS+ Staff

PORTLAND, OR — The operator of a Portland-area animal rescue, rehabilitation, boarding and adoption company has been charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and dispensing animal drugs without proper labeling.

Authorities say Tori Lynn Head, 26, and others started Woofin Palooza, a business with facilities in Multnomah and Columbia County, OR, in November 2019.

Head and others are alleged to have obtained pets with medical and behavioral issues from out-of-state and made them available for adoption to paying customers. It’s alleged that between December 2019 and January 2021, on more than 280 occasions, Head and others made material misrepresentations about the health and behavior of the animals offered for adoption.

Based on the misrepresentations, customers paid Woofin Palooza more than $82,000 in adoption fees, according to a press release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon. During this period, Head allegedly sold customers mislabeled animal drugs in violation of the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.

Head appeared in federal court this week before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jolie A. Russo. Head was released pending further court proceedings.

This case was investigated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration with assistance from the Portland Police Bureau. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ethan Knight is prosecuting the case.

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