They thought their beloved pets would be treated with care and respect.
But now, a shocking scandal is unfolding in Pittsburgh as Eternity Pet Memorials is accused of tricking heartbroken pet owners in a disturbing way.
6,500 victims
What was supposed to be a place of peace and closure has turned into a nightmare for dozens of grieving pet owners in Pittsburgh. Patrick Roy Vereb, the 70-year-old owner of Eternity Pet Memorials, is now at the center of a disturbing scandal that’s shaking the local community — and breaking hearts along the way.
According to investigators, Vereb promised pet owners compassionate services, including burials and cremations, for their beloved animals. But from 2021 to 2024, authorities say that was far from the truth.
Instead of honoring those emotional agreements, Vereb is accused of lying to multiple customers — telling them their pets were being respectfully cremated, while allegedly never carrying out the cremations at all.
The alleged scheme reportedly swindled families out of more than $650,000 – and prosecutors allege that over 6,500 victims have been identified.
And what’s shocked people even more is what Vereb is accused of doing with the animals he claimed to cremate.
“Instead of proper cremations, burials, and returning the ashes to customers, he took thousands of pets to a landfill,” said Attorney General Dave Sunday Jr. in an interview with NBC. “Thousands of grieving owners who thought they were receiving their pet’s ashes were actually given ashes from other, unknown animals.”
Own employees sounded the alarm
The scandal first came to light when some of Patrick Vereb’s own employees began to grow suspicious about what was really happening at Vereb Funeral Home and Eternity Pet Memorial.
According to a criminal complaint, the business appeared to be taking in “far more numbers of animals than what he was cremating.”
Eventually, Vereb admitted to deceiving customers during an interview with investigators, authorities said.
“Vereb reluctantly agreed [in an interview with investigators] that pet owners were not always getting their specific pets’ actual ashes back,” the court document stated.
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Vereb, 70, turned himself in on Monday afternoon and was arraigned on multiple charges — but he didn’t have to post a bond and remains free until his next court appearance on May 9, according to a spokesperson from the state Attorney General’s office.
“As a pet owner myself, I can’t imagine the heartbreak involved in learning that you are affected by a crime like this,” Attorney General Dave Sunday said. “My office will work to bring those responsible to justice for this heartless crime.”
”Betrayal of trust”
Naturally, Tthe community and local animal hospitals have expressed shock and support following the Eternity Pet Memorial scandal.
Helping Hearts & Healing Tails Animal Rescue shared their heartbreak, writing on Facebook, ”To every family devastated by Eternity Pet Memorial – We wanted to let you know that we are navigating this disaster with you, as several of our rescue dogs had gone [t]here.”
The shelter called the alleged crime ”not just a mistake” but a ”betrayal of trust,” adding, ”You are not alone. We see your pain. We share your anger. We honor your love.”
Paul G. Fink Funeral Home Inc. and East Suburban Animal Hospital reassured customers that they were not involved, with the animal hospital posting,
”We want to assure you that we do not use their services and are so saddened to learn that someone could take advantage of pet owners in this way.”
In response to the thousands affected, the attorney general’s office has launched a website for victims to submit information and receive updates.
With over 6,500 victims affected, the impact of this betrayal goes far beyond just financial loss — it’s a violation of the bond between pet owners and the services they trust. As more details come to light, one thing is certain: justice for these grieving families is long overdue. What do you think? How should we hold those responsible accountable for such a deeply personal and cruel crime?
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