Over 6,500 grieving pet owners across Western Pennsylvania thought they were saying a final, respectful goodbye to their beloved animals. Instead, they were allegedly deceived and defrauded.

According to state prosecutors, Patrick Vereb, owner of Vereb Funeral Homes and Eternity Pet Memorial, charged families for private pet cremations, burials, and memorial services, only to dump the remains in local landfills and return ashes from unknown sources. The alleged fraud totaled over $650,000 and impacted families in Allegheny, Armstrong, Washington, and Westmoreland counties.

This is more than a scam. It is a betrayal of trust that exploited grief for profit.

We are calling on the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office and county prosecutors to pursue full criminal charges and restitution against any individuals or businesses involved in this massive fraud. That includes felony charges where appropriate, along with financial compensation for every family affected.

No one should have to question whether the ashes they received truly belonged to their pet. No one should pay for dignity and receive deception.

We also urge state agencies to create a victims’ compensation fund, using any recovered assets and penalties, to help families afford the respectful memorial services they were originally promised.

Pets are not disposable, and neither is the grief their loss brings. If this kind of abuse goes unpunished, it opens the door for others to do the same.

Please sign this petition to demand real justice, not just new rules, for the families who were lied to, and for the animals who were denied the dignity they deserved.