Dozens of poodles rescued from alleged Alfalfa puppy mill are going up for adoption; here’s what you need to know
Barney Lerten
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — An Alfalfa-area woman accused of running a puppy mill from her home has surrendered over 40 poodles seized from the property, and the first group of dogs will be up for adoption starting Friday, the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office and Humane Society of Central Oregon said Thursday.
On September 5, deputies and Animal Control Officers served a search warrant at the home of Lorinda Maxwell, 62, on Elk Lane near Alfalfa. Maxwell was arrested on 49 felony counts of second-degree animal neglect, DCSO Public Information Officer Jason Carr said.
Deputies rescued 44 dogs and three cats from the property, and Maxwell initially refused to surrender them voluntarily, Carr said.
A civil forfeiture hearing regarding the dogs was scheduled for Friday, October 10. However, Carr said the sheriff’s office learned from the district attorney’s iffice last week that Maxwell agreed to surrender ownership of all the poodles to HSCO, allowing for adoptions to move forward.
Maxwell was granted conditional release as her case moved forward. Her arraignment on an indictment is scheduled for October 16.
The dogs, ranging from young puppies to seniors, came to HSCO in very poor condition, Director of Philanthropy and Communications Bekka Austin told us.
Many were emaciated, severely matted, dirty, and suffering from untreated medical issues. Since their arrival, HSCO’s veterinary and shelter teams have provided daily, intensive care, including medical treatment, specialized diets, and safe housing. Staff and volunteers have worked tirelessly to stabilize the animals, provide socialization, and begin the process of rehabilitation.
HSCO Executive Director Amber Kostoff said, “Seeing these dogs when they first arrived was difficult. Many were very thin, matted, and in need of care. Over the last month, our team has worked tirelessly to provide medical treatment, good nutrition, and comfort. Now, we’re grateful to be able to begin placing some of them into loving homes.”
Adoption Protocols
First adoptions begin Friday, October 3, 2025, starting with at least a dozen of the poodles, Austin said.
Additional poodles will become available in the coming weeks as they are medically cleared. While some poodles are now ready for adoption, more than a dozen remain under veterinary care and will not yet be available.
Adoption fees: Puppies under 6 months are $500; Dogs 6 months to 9 years are $300; Dogs 10 years and older are $150.
To ensure fairness and safety, potential adopters may line up outside the shelter. Numbers will be distributed just prior to the shelter opening at 10 a.m. and small groups will be admitted in order of arrival.
All Poodles will be adopted out on a first come, first served basis.
Special hours: On Saturday, October 4, HSCO will be open to the public from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. only.
Caring for such a large group of animals has placed a significant strain on HSCO’s space and resources, which are already stretched beyond capacity. The community can help by adopting animals who are ready for homes, fostering those still in recovery, or donating to offset the extraordinary medical costs of their care.
HSCO extends its gratitude to Deschutes County Animal Control and the Deschutes County District Attorney’s Office for their partnership in this case, which made it possible for these animals to begin new lives.
“Some of these poodles are ready to take their next steps beyond the shelter, while many others still need time and care here with us,” said Kostoff. “It’s been a big effort to get them this far, and I know our community will continue to show up, as they always do, to make sure every one of these dogs has the chance to heal and find a family.”
Many of the animals will need ongoing medical treatment and care requiring significant funding. Secure donations can be made directly at hsco.org/donate.
Carr added, “The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office thanks the community for its patience, support, and generosity during this case.”
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About the Humane Society of Central Oregon:Founded in 1961, the Humane Society of Central Oregon (HSCO) is a full-service animal shelter located at 61170 SE 27th Street, Bend, OR. As a Socially Conscious Shelter, HSCO is dedicated to providing the best possible outcomes for all animals under its care. In the past year, HSCO found homes for more than 2,200 animals and reunited 659 pets with their families. Our community outreach includes accessible veterinary care and the HOPE pet food bank, which support the needs of pet owners in Central Oregon. The shelter is open Tuesday through Saturday, 10 AM to 5:30 PM. For more information, visit hsco.org or call 541-382-3537.