Pets are not just animals that live in our homes. For many people, their cats and dogs, birds and ferrets and other critters are a part of the family.
There are 59.8 million American homes with at least one pet, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA).
And just like other members of the family, we tend to spend on them. We buy them treats. We get them toys. We spoil them with nice beds and creature comforts. The AVMA puts the amount spent per pet at about $1,500 a year.
One of those expenses can be saying goodbye. The end of life for a pet can be as expensive as it is emotional. In addition to the cost of medical care, there can be the cost of handling an animal’s remains.
That is why the story of Eternity Pet Memorial has hit many pet owners so hard.
Patrick Vereb, 70, of Pittsburgh’s Hazelwood neighborhood has been charged with felonies including theft by deception, receiving stolen property and deceptive business practices, according to the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office.
Vereb’s case is just beginning its journey through the courts. He was arraigned Monday and is scheduled for a preliminary hearing May 9.
But the pet owners who are just finding out about the animals investigators say were dumped in a landfill are also at the beginning of a journey. It’s filled with pain and confusion.
“I just wanted to do what was right by my dog — that’s not what I wanted for my dog and certainly not what I paid for,” said Ashley Sopata.
Her dog Sadie Mae, a Chow Chow mix, was there to help her deal with the grief of losing her parents. She was surprised by the news of the charges against Vereb.
“Sadie Mae deserved better than a landfill,” she said.
Sopata was just one of the shocked pet owners who talked to the Trib about the loss of their furry family members and the devastating news of the criminal case.
“Honestly, there’s nothing they can do to make this right,” said Angela Smith of North Versailles.
When her Shih Tzu named Mister died in May 2024, she did the right thing. She took the time to research options and chose Eternal Pet Memorial after reading reviews.
Pennsylvania law requires that when an animal dies, it is disposed of within 48 hours. That means that pet owners have a short period of time to make decisions about burial or cremation, as well as whether to handle the job on their own or trust someone else.
It is terrible that anyone would take advantage of someone grieving a loss. It is tragic that it is not more rare. Similar scams have been reported from California to New York.
“It’s a sad reality of our business,” said Donna Shugart-Bethune, executive director of the International Association of Pet Cemeteries and Crematories.
The saddest reality is that people who have had to deal with the sorrow of losing beloved pets now contend with the betrayal of being victimized in a way that cannot be repaired.