Meet the Gaston teen with four published books and a pet rescue organization

At just 16-years-old, Gastonia student Emory Ivie has four published books under her belt, a website designed to help match abandoned animals with loving homes, and a knack for creating charcoal portraits of pets.

Of all these hobbies, writing is Ivie’s favorite.

“I’ve always really loved telling stories,” Ivie said.

The first of four books in her fantasy series Legends of Saphirra was written when Ivie was just 12 years old.

According to Ivie, the series is geared toward middle school students, and the writing and concepts in the book have grown with her as she has aged.

“I try to incorporate a lesson you can learn in your life,” she said.

Some of those lessons include learning to be compassionate and see beyond yourself to notice the struggles of others, letting go of grudges and anger that negatively impact your life, and more.

In addition to her fictional writing pursuits, Ivie enjoys writing articles for her website www.petrescuepartners.com .

Ivie started Pet Rescue Partners, an organization that finds homes for abandoned animals, roughly five years ago.

Growing up on a dead-end street, she noticed many animals would be abandoned in the area.

After starting Pet Rescue Partners, Ivie and her family would foster many animals until they could find a home.

Over the years, Ivie found that she was not able to foster as often, but continued to run the website as a resource for local pet owners who need help rehoming their pets.

Ivie’s articles on the website focus on topics like uncontrolled pet breeding, how to properly care for animals, and more.

“I just want to spread the word because animals don’t have a voice at all,” she said.

When Ivie connects an animal to a loving home, it can be bittersweet.

Sometimes, however, she receives photos of the pet in its new home, and those moments are very rewarding, she said.

Ivie is currently a junior at Piedmont Community Charter School, and plans to attend an in-state college for English after graduation.

In the meantime, she will continue writing, caring for animals, and spending time with her personal pets.

“I think you can really do anything if you have the self-determination,” Ivie said.

This article originally appeared on The Gaston Gazette: Meet the Gaston teen with four published books and a pet rescue organization