Los Angeles Seeks $7 Million From Celebrity-Favored Dog Rescue Over Alleged Puppy Laundering

Los Angeles prosecutors are seeking more than $7 million in civil penalties from a celebrity-favored animal rescue accused of purchasing puppies from commercial breeders and selling them as rescued dogs, some of which allegedly became seriously ill and died shortly after adoption.

The lawsuit targets Wagmor Pets, a Studio City organization whose clients have included Ellen DeGeneres and Jennifer Aniston, and its founder and chief executive, Melissa Bacelar. City attorneys allege Bacelar purchased hundreds, potentially thousands, of dogs from breeders, including puppy mills, and charged customers adoption fees of up to $1,500 without disclosing where the animals came from.

Announced Tuesday, October 27, 2026, the civil enforcement action accuses Bacelar of using Wagmor and two related businesses, Wylder’s Holistic Pet Center Inc. and Doho House LLC, to purchase and resell commercially bred dogs while presenting the transactions as charitable adoptions. The practice is commonly known as puppy laundering.

According to the complaint, some of the animals suffered serious health problems and died within days or weeks of being placed with families. Prosecutors also accuse Bacelar of soliciting donations through misleading appeals that featured photographs of dogs unrelated to the animals described in fundraising requests.

The city alleges the operation violated California’s Unfair Competition Law and Los Angeles municipal regulations while circumventing state restrictions on commercial puppy sales through pet stores and dog brokers. Los Angeles City Attorney Hydee Feldstein Soto is seeking a permanent injunction, restitution for affected consumers and civil penalties exceeding $7 million.

Wagmor gained national attention in 2019 after Ellen DeGeneres featured the rescue on her television show and revealed that she and her wife had adopted a puppy from the organization. Jennifer Aniston and Dwayne Johnson later obtained dogs through Wagmor.

The organization has previously faced lawsuits from customers who accused Bacelar of purchasing inexpensive dogs from breeders, marketing them as rescues and collecting substantial adoption fees. Veterinary records obtained by the Los Angeles Times from Missouri authorities identified Wagmor as the final destination for dozens of dogs purchased at Southwest Auction in Rocky Comfort, Missouri, where commercial breeders sell animals.

Bacelar has denied knowingly purchasing dogs from breeders. She previously said she accepted animals from a Missouri rescue organization without asking where they originated and maintained that dogs in need of placement qualify as rescues.

Responding to the latest lawsuit, Bacelar rejected the allegations as recycled claims from an earlier proposed class action that was dismissed. She said Wednesday that the previous litigation ended after the lead plaintiff sought dismissal and a judge disqualified the law firm representing the proposed class over improperly obtained information.

“The allegations are not true and we will prove it in court, just like last time,” Bacelar said.

The new case differs from the earlier private consumer litigation because Los Angeles is bringing the action as a government enforcement case. The city is asking the court to stop the alleged sales practices, recover restitution for consumers and impose penalties under California consumer protection and local animal-sale laws.