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CENTERVILLE — Just over a month ago, firefighters helped rescue well over a dozen pets from this West Valley home. Among them, snakes and lizards.
They may not be furry and cuddly, but Sarah Southerland said she treats reptiles just like any other four or no-legged family member.
"I figured they would be in bad condition because they had been pulled from a burning building, and so I was really expecting burns and open wounds,” Southerland said.
She is now caring for three snakes and a lizard. On top of that, two Burmese pythons are with a friend.
The burns on the reptiles were there, as expected. But Southerland discovered something else while getting them checked out at the Parrish Creek Veterinary Clinic.
“They didn't look as healthy as they ought to be if they're being well cared for,” said veterinarian Doug Folland. He said many of them had signs of malnutrition going back months.
"My assumption to that is either they're under some sort of conditions where they're not being properly fed, if they're underweight like that," said Folland.
The owner, who escaped the house fire himself, told KSL he also helps rescue reptiles, so it's hard to say who might have neglected the animals.
Either way, Southerland wants to help.
"I was sad that they were in a position to not be fed, to not be taken care of," Southerland said.
With the help of a fundraising site, she says reptile owners around the area paid off the animals' veterinary bills. Now, the push is on to make sure they have a solid future.
"We've spent the extra money, building them six-foot long cages," Southerland said. “(The python) still deserves to be fed and cared for, just like a dog or cat … there really is no difference.”
On the bright side, the reptiles appear to be recovering well from their burns. There's still a chance one of the snakes may lose an eye, but it looks like he'll survive.
