Amanda's Fire Relief
Donation protected
Amanda Sargent has been working hard to protect and save animals her whole life. Her and I met in Georgia, and she left to go back home and chase her dreams in Massachusetts 2 years ago. She has accomplished so much in that time, and although it was hard for her and her living situation was never ideal, the one thing that got her through the tough times was always her animals.
We were seperated for 2 years, but talked every day. She would always send me pictures of her animals and every single day she would pass up invitations to go out with friends or travel like any other 23 year old because she was committed to getting home to her animals. She prided herself in creating them beautiful, intricate enclosures and rehabbing sick, unwanted pets and making them into healthy and tame friends that she would often let hang out with her at night while she worked hard on schoolwork, conservation projects and all of the other things she took on.
She used her beloved snakes, lizards, tortoises, frogs and bugs for educational outreach. Many adults and children have overcome their fears from meeting her animals, and visiting schools, daycares, rehab centers and birthday parties with her motley crew of creatures was one of her favorite things to do.
She was so excited to finally be coming back to Georgia, where she loved to be surrounded by the southern wildlife and where she dreamed of a better, warmer life for her herps. My job is demanding and I had never gotten to fly to Massachusetts to meet her wonderful herps or see her room. We spent the first day meeting her wonderful coworkers and she was excited to bring me to her house to meet her other friends. Sadly, at the absolute worst time, tragedy struck like I've never experienced before.
As soon as Amanda got the call that her house was on fire, she screamed about her animals. We raced home and I hoped they would be okay. When we got there, the police and fire department were there, and told her that her dogs were alright. One was at the police station but the other had run away and they told her she needed to focus on finding her. She disregarded them and ran to the house. The fire was out, but the destruction was evident. Her dad stood there and looked at her and seemed to read her mind and said "The dogs made it...but you lost everyone else." Amanda dropped to her knees in the grass and just sobbed and begged them to tell her they were okay and I hope to never see her in that much pain again.
We thankfully found her other dog, Brynn. She has suffered some pretty serious smoke inhalation injuries. We took them to the vet this morning and the bills were high, but there is no price on their lives and Amanda is glad they're okay. She has been a mess though. She can't let go of the little lives who perished that night and she keeps going over the last time she saw them trying to come up with any explaination she can for why this has happened to her. Her entire bedroom was charred. It was devestating having to see her bedroom like that for the first time.
Aside from 20 snakes, lizards, tortoises (including one she has had since she was a little girl) and bugs, all of her beautiful enclosures were destroyed as well as all of the other animal-related supplies she'd spent her life building up. She's lost clothes, electronics, and irreplacable memories. Anything to help her get through this is so appreciated. She is very stoic and won't tell many people how much she is hurting but I have firsthand seen how much she appreciates the support and love from her wonderful friends around the globe and I thank you all for being there for her through this nightmare. It could not have happened to a better person. Thank you.
To see firsthand Amanda's journey and love for her animals, visit her Instagram account - theamandafiles
We were seperated for 2 years, but talked every day. She would always send me pictures of her animals and every single day she would pass up invitations to go out with friends or travel like any other 23 year old because she was committed to getting home to her animals. She prided herself in creating them beautiful, intricate enclosures and rehabbing sick, unwanted pets and making them into healthy and tame friends that she would often let hang out with her at night while she worked hard on schoolwork, conservation projects and all of the other things she took on.
She used her beloved snakes, lizards, tortoises, frogs and bugs for educational outreach. Many adults and children have overcome their fears from meeting her animals, and visiting schools, daycares, rehab centers and birthday parties with her motley crew of creatures was one of her favorite things to do.
She was so excited to finally be coming back to Georgia, where she loved to be surrounded by the southern wildlife and where she dreamed of a better, warmer life for her herps. My job is demanding and I had never gotten to fly to Massachusetts to meet her wonderful herps or see her room. We spent the first day meeting her wonderful coworkers and she was excited to bring me to her house to meet her other friends. Sadly, at the absolute worst time, tragedy struck like I've never experienced before.
As soon as Amanda got the call that her house was on fire, she screamed about her animals. We raced home and I hoped they would be okay. When we got there, the police and fire department were there, and told her that her dogs were alright. One was at the police station but the other had run away and they told her she needed to focus on finding her. She disregarded them and ran to the house. The fire was out, but the destruction was evident. Her dad stood there and looked at her and seemed to read her mind and said "The dogs made it...but you lost everyone else." Amanda dropped to her knees in the grass and just sobbed and begged them to tell her they were okay and I hope to never see her in that much pain again.
We thankfully found her other dog, Brynn. She has suffered some pretty serious smoke inhalation injuries. We took them to the vet this morning and the bills were high, but there is no price on their lives and Amanda is glad they're okay. She has been a mess though. She can't let go of the little lives who perished that night and she keeps going over the last time she saw them trying to come up with any explaination she can for why this has happened to her. Her entire bedroom was charred. It was devestating having to see her bedroom like that for the first time.
Aside from 20 snakes, lizards, tortoises (including one she has had since she was a little girl) and bugs, all of her beautiful enclosures were destroyed as well as all of the other animal-related supplies she'd spent her life building up. She's lost clothes, electronics, and irreplacable memories. Anything to help her get through this is so appreciated. She is very stoic and won't tell many people how much she is hurting but I have firsthand seen how much she appreciates the support and love from her wonderful friends around the globe and I thank you all for being there for her through this nightmare. It could not have happened to a better person. Thank you.
To see firsthand Amanda's journey and love for her animals, visit her Instagram account - theamandafiles
Organizer and beneficiary
Matthew Mezzatesta
Organizer
Sandy Springs, GA
Amanda Sargent
Beneficiary