Belle Vernon animal rescue urgently seeking donations
Angels Journey Home recently rescued two dogs from an abusive home that are in need of medical treatment.
Angels Journey Home Animal Rescue is desperately seeking donations so the nonprofit organization can continue its mission of protecting and saving animals.
Angels Journey Home, based in Belle Vernon, is facing financial struggles to cover the costs of animal treatments. Founder Wendi Kraemer said their struggles aren’t unique to them, as animal shelters across the country are facing the same problems.
“The animal world is in crisis right now, and whether you believe it or not, at least 12 million animals are dying a year,” Kraemer said. “I mean, we all waste $20 a day. Think about it, all of us do. So if everybody would just donate $20, imagine the difference you can make in animals’ lives.”
Recently, Kraemer rescued two dogs, Vanna and Luna, from an abusive home and found them a safe foster home in the meantime, where they’re doing better. However, Kraemer said the dogs still need a lot of medical care to recover from their previous environment, which could cost around $8,000.
“Somebody said to me, ‘just put them down,’” Kraemer said, “Well, hold on. What if you lived in hell all your life, and you had a chance to get out and breathe and smile, and to be loved? Wouldn’t you want that chance?”
Right now, Angels Journey is at capacity, but Kraemer said they are still frequently looking for people who will foster some of their animals. Kraemer encourages anyone interested in fostering to reach out to Angels Journey.
Kraemer created Angels Journey 11 years ago, and although its core mission remains to help animals, it’s also working to help veterans. Angels Journey helps train dogs to become service dogs for veterans, which typically costs around $4,000 according to Kraemer.
Angels Journey also does work with unhoused communities in the Pittsburgh region, providing basic supplies, especially during the winter months. Kraemer added that they donate thousands of Bombas socks to veterans, unhoused individuals, and to first responders in care packages.
When people think of animal rescues, cats and dogs come to mind, but according to Kraemer, Angels Journey has also rescued farm animals, such as pigs. She said she currently has a pig she has grown very fond of.
Kraemer added that they’re also trying to save up for a car to make trips for veterans and other needs for animal rescues. They recently purchased a car, but are unable to use it due to mechanical issues.
“Our vehicle goes 24/7, like we go from morning, noon and night, all of our vehicles,” she said. “And this SUV does a lot, because we’ll take veterans to appointments. We take them to doctor appointments, we take them shopping, we deliver food to shut in veterans.”
To provide monetary donations to Angels Journey, go to https://angelsjourneyhomerescue. com/.
Kraemer said they also accept donations of supplies like blankets, sleeping bags, coats, animal food, and any other supplies for animals or humans.
To contact Kraemer for supply donations, email her at angelsjourneyhomerescue@gmail.com, or call 412-6807309.
