While most teens might be spending their Friday night watching a movie with friends, Sage Creek junior Alya Sabra might be busy doing four water changes on her fish tanks or heading to PetSmart to buy frozen mice for her garter snakes. What influenced Sabra to become an at-home “zookeeper,” and how does one 17-year-old manage her time with over six different species and 10 unique enclosures?
With parents who have always supported curiosity and trying new things, Sabra’s hands-on hobby developed over time for multiple reasons. Once an intrigued young girl living in Shanghai, China, she pet a baby tiger with a smile on her face. Even riding an elephant twice her size with no fear, the urge to learn more about the fascinating creatures around her only grew.
Once she moved back to the United States and into her current home, her outside playhouse eventually evolved into a pet house, starting with a 10-gallon tank and progressing to a beautifully decorated 40-gallon tank. To begin her research on a new animal, Alya starts with general information, such as diet, environment and enclosure size.
“I use multiple sources to create my own care guides and make sure to use credible information and listen to experienced keepers,” Sabra said.
Each creature has a significant name, like Bambi and Prince, her albino garter snakes and Flip, her baby snake.
Her three white tree frogs are named Henry, Chive and Pickles, who reside in a tropical oasis in the pethouse. Next to their enclosure are her three tanks with over 30 fish, including her male betta fish, Floki.
A large desert-themed pen holds her two-year-old Golden Greek tortoise named Fistik, the Turkish word for peanut.
“If I had to pick my favorite pet, I would say my Golden Greek tortoise Fistik because he is my long-term commitment of 50-plus years and he is so cute,” Sabra said.
Her daily routine typically consists of feeding her tortoise and her fish in the morning before school. In the evening, once she comes home, she does any necessary cleaning or maintenance. Deep cleans for all of her pets usually happen every Sunday when she does not have anything going on.
Alya’s plans for the future include becoming a veterinarian by studying herpetology or other zoo-related sciences. Her parents have supported her every step of the way and will continue to as she pursues her dreams of attending veterinary school at UC Davis.
“I believe that Alya will continue her passion in a future career full of animals, like her dream of becoming a veterinarian,” said Kismet Sabra, her mom.
According to the American Pet Products Association, Gen Z is the most likely generation to own multiple pets. Around 70 percent of them own either two or more pets at one time. Sabra’s time-consuming interest reflects this growing trend among younger generations.
Sabra is now creating a club for her Genius Project, which is a year-long student passion project for juniors and seniors, bringing a positive impact on society with creativity. Her club is called S.S.S., also known as the Shelter Support Squad. She plans to expand her interest by volunteering with other peers at animal adoption centers to support staff and help pets feel more comfortable in stressful situations. The club will also raise money to purchase items for shelters and give dogs, cats and other pets in need a boost in potential adoption opportunities.
Sabra’s love for animals is not just a mindset but also a lifestyle. With grand plans for the future, she will further her hobby into a long-lasting career. The support from her family and friends ensures that her pets will continue to thrive with an abundance of affection and care in her very own at-home sanctuary.
