Rescue groups, volunteers work to give animals seized a second chance

Many of the 80 pigs taken away last week wound up with Pigsburgh Squealers Rescue.

As additional animals were removed from a rat-infested property in Rostraver Township, animal rescue groups are now working to give the pigs, dogs and cats a second chance.

Rostraver Police Chief Scott Sokol said they found four dead cats and removed 21 cats and three dogs from the property owned by Wendi Kraemer (also known as Wendi Garza). Three cats and one dog are in critical condition.

Last week, nearly 80 pigs were removed from Kraemer’s property, with some being taken by Pigsburgh Squealers Rescue. Blue Martin, founder of the organization, said they had to quickly build a new fenced area for the large influx of pigs.

“We had zero space, we’ve got our own foster pens and our permanent resident pens, and we have a quarantine barn, but every space is full, and you can’t just introduce new animals to other animals, because they can fight, they can get sick,” Martin said. “But because it’s warm out, I was like, I know we have an acre of land that we can go fence off, but we’re going to have to buy all the fencing really quickly. We’re going to have to get a whole bunch of volunteers organized at the last second. So I knew it was going to take us a few days to build.”

Martin said some of the pigs have gone to foster homes for the time being, while others need additional treatment.

Martin noted that the mistreatment of animals such as pigs has been an increasing issue in the region. One of their bigger cases involved 38 pigs that were being bred in Auburn, W.Va., in 2021.

“We absolutely see an increase in these cases across the country, especially as I feel usually the people involved are not breeders. It’s actually people who are rescuing and not doing it in a smart or healthy way,” she said. “That’s what happened in this (Rostraver) case. This person has had three different nonprofits. … She is claiming that people did this to her, and that she’s the victim in this case. There’s something very wrong there.”

Martin said some of the male pigs they rescued from Kraemer’s property will be neutered in the upcoming days. After some of the younger pigs are ready to go, Pigsburgh Squealers Rescue will work to find them foster homes.

Martin stated that a litter of orphan piglets was born the day after they were taken to a temporary foster home, and due to stress, the mother couldn’t take care of them.

“Mama (mother pig) didn’t take care of them because she was probably very stressed out, and we tried hand feeding them, and they passed, and it was really hard on us,” Martin said. “I mean, a lot of them are pregnant because the abuser didn’t separate them at all. I don’t know what she thought was gonna happen.”

Pigsburgh Squealers Rescue is seeking donations, volunteers and foster homes for some of the pigs. Martin said there are multiple ways to make donations on their website, www.pigsburghsquealers.com.

Donors can send a check directly to Pigsburgh Squealers Rescue, 130 Lampus Lane, Tarentum, PA 15084.

For those interested in fostering or adopting a pig, the organization requires people to own their home and property and to have a fenced yard or area. They can be reached through their Facebook page, “Pigsburgh Squealers Rescue.”

Martin said that they ask potential volunteers to come and tour their facility first before starting. More information on volunteering can be found on their website.

Other rescues

According to Sokol, some of the other animals on Kraemer’s property, such as cats and dogs, were taken by the Ninth Life Rescue Center.

The center is accepting donations through PayPal and Venmo. Donations can be taken in person to their donation drop-off box at 125 W. Second St. in Greensburg. The user name for PayPal is Ninthliferescue@outlook.com. For Venmo, it can be found at NinthLife-RescueCenter.

Ninth Life is also accepting donations to help cover its vet tab at Vought Veterinary Services by calling 724-433-1377. More ways to donate can be found on its website, https://ninthliferescue.com.

The Rostraver case wasn’t the only animal related incident in recent days. More than 60 dogs and cats were rescued last Thursday in Belle Vernon.

Police said they found 62 dogs and two cats living in horrible conditions.

A spokesperson for Pennsylvania State Police told KDKA that the investigation began in April when 39 dogs, including puppies, were surrendered to a local rescue in terrible condition.

SWPA Humane Law Enforcement, which operates in Fayette and Greene counties, stated in a Facebook post that, along with Angels of Mercy and the ANNA Shelter, they helped state police execute the search warrant.

The animals were removed from “conditions of extreme neglect,” according to SWPA, and they are caring for one puppy that’s now receiving “round-the-clock care” at a local veterinarian.

No charges have been filed, and police told KDKA that the process could take weeks because of the number of animals rescued and the severity of the case.

The ANNA Shelter stated on Facebook that it needs Purina Dog and Puppy Chow, canned dog food, 39 gallon/contractor size trash bags, and gift cards to Walmart, Amazon, Tractor Supply and Sam’s.

Donations to the ANNA Shelter can be made online at www.theannashelter.com/ donate. Donations to SWPA can also be made at www.swpahumanelaw.org.