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Bachelor Alum on a Mission to Save Rescue Animals in Atlanta

Lori Ennis
by Lori Ennis
Published:  August 13th, 2016
As if you needed any more reason to love Bachelor alum Lorenzo Borghese, the Italian prince is heading to Atlanta for the “Wheels and Wings” animal rescue event on August 19 and 20.


Get ready to swoon. (No, really. Rescuing shelter animals in the new hawt!)


Animal Aid USA co-founder (oh, and Italian royalty, but who’s paying attention?) Lorenzo Borghese will be in Savannah, Georgia the weekend of August 19 and 20, and we don’t know that there is anything more attractive than a prince rescuing our neediest furry friends.


Borghese founded Animal Aid USA with Karen Talbot (an amazing woman who walked away from her career in order to focus on her family and passion–animals) to rescue animals who would otherwise have no options but to be euthanized. In the many animal control centers Animal Aid USA services, the only way animals leave the facility is through a licensed rescue agency…or death. NO other options.


So Prince Lorenzo and his team travel monthly from New Jersey to Georgia, visiting these facilities in order to save the animals by giving medical attention and vetting out to reputable rescues across the nation, who in turn will find these precious pets forever families.


The rescue efforts in Savannah (partnered with various organizations that help with care, treatment and transport) will be the largest of Animal Aid USA’s year, as they expect to rescue approximately 350 animals on the euthanasia list.


Calling the event “Wheels and Wings,” animals will be rescued, treated with medical care to be temporarily housed while awaiting the next step in the process. According to Borghese, “When they are ready to be adopted, we transport them to our receiving rescues or private adopters across the U.S.” As the facilities they are rescued from provide no veterinary care, the ‘rescue and relocation’ model that Animal Aid USA uses allows animals the time and opportunity to become healthy and eager family members wherever the large network of rescue associations finds them homes. Literally, they save the animals’ lives, and in more ways than one can count.


Animal Aid USA has rescued over 14,000 animals since its beginnings in 2012. That’s an average of 292 animals a month, EVERY month! 14,000 animal (and human family members!) lives changed forever.


And while we can’t deny getting ‘the rose‘ is nice…we much prefer this Bachelor’s rescue efforts!

WOW
Lori Ennis
Lori Ennis

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Loyal after death, this mini-mutt remained at her owner's side until rescuers arrived.

Is Aquarium Salt Safe for Plants?

All those in love with the fascinating world of aquatics know how sensitive and (sometimes) demanding pet fish and  aquarium plants are. The aquarium plant life in particular can be very vulnerable, reacting to the smallest changes in the tank’s environment. Naturally, this begs the question: could adding salt to your tank potentially kill its plant life? Or is salt beneficial for your aquarium’s flora? These are the questions that need to be answered carefully, as there are different types of salt used, and not all have the same effects on the many different aquarium plants. Let’s dive deeper into the topic!Is Aquarium Salt Safe for Plants? Aquarium salt, when used properly, has many uses in an aquarium setting. It can help with certain issues like treating fish diseases and promoting electrolyte balance in fish. But what about plants? The key to using salt with aquarium plants is moderation and research. There are different types of salt on the market, so you should inquire about their properties and possible effects on fish and plants. Secondly, always use it in moderation. When used in the right amounts, salt can be beneficial. However, the excessive use of salt can be harmful to plants, as it can disrupt their osmotic balance and lead to dehydration or nutrient imbalances. In fact, put too much of it, and you can kill all the plants AND the fish in the tank!But what is the osmotic balance? Like all living organisms, plants maintain a delicate balance of water and salts within their cells. When exposed to high concentrations of salt, such as those found in aquarium salt products, plants can experience “osmotic stress”. This stress occurs because the salt outside the plant's roots creates a higher concentration of solutes in the soil than inside the plant cells. As a result, water is drawn out of the plant, leading to dehydration and potential damage – and even death.Excessive salt in the aquarium soil can also interfere with a plant's ability to absorb essential nutrients. Sodium ions, which are a component of salt, can compete with other positively charged ions like potassium, calcium, and magnesium that plants need for healthy growth. This competition can disrupt nutrient uptake and lead to deficiencies, even if those nutrients are present in the soil.Another confusing factor is that some aquarium plants are much more tolerant than others. Halophytes, for example, are plants that have evolved to thrive in saline environments and can withstand higher levels of salt in the soil and water. However, most freshwater aquarium plants are not adapted to high-salt conditions and can suffer greatly when aquarium salt is introduced to the tank. You should also consider the types of salt available. Sea salt, for example, is much different and more complex than ordinary table salt. It contains sodium chloride, and minerals like potassium, zinc, and calcium. As such, it is only suitable for use in aquariums that have marine fish and  invertebrates, and plants naturally occurring in salt waters. 

Why is My Rabbit Eating Poop and How Do I Stop It?

It’s a weird and uncomfortable habit, but if your rabbit is eating poop, it may not be a sign of health issues! In fact, for rabbits, eating poop may actually be a healthy decision (even if we’d prefer not to see it).In this article, we’re diving into the mystery of why rabbits eat poop, including why you may want to let your rabbit engage in this “cringey” habit. Plus, we’ll look at the warning signs that something is, indeed, off and when you should contact your veterinarian.Let’s get started…Is it Normal for a Rabbit to Eat Their Poop?Obviously, seeing your rabbit eating their own feces isn’t something any rabbit parent enjoys. If this is your first time seeing your rabbit engaging in this behavior, it may even cause serious concerns. What could possibly be so wrong with your rabbit’s system that they would feel tempted to do that? You may be surprised to learn that this is incredibly common and, in many cases, a regular part of their digestive process. By eating a specific type of poop, they ensure that they are getting (and keeping) all the nutrients that they need to support a healthy, happy life. The idea of chowing down on our own waste is disgusting to us. But for our furry friends, this is a normal part of their daily routine. Rabbit Poop vs Cecotropes To better understand the connection between poop eating and your rabbit’s health, we need to learn about the different types of rabbit waste. More specifically, we need to know about cecotropes. When we go to the bathroom, we have one type of solid waste – a material we couldn’t imagine getting near, let alone making into a meal. Rabbits, however, pass two different types of droppings. The first is fecal waste or poop. If your rabbit has a healthy, functioning digestive system, these will be small, round, dry, ball-like pellets that are light brown. This is often found in your rabbit’s litter box (if they are litter-trained) or the bottom of their cage.The second and the most important type of droppings are cecal pellets or cecotropes. These have the appearance of a small bunch of grapes with several round pellets clumped together. They are shiny, coated in mucus, and usually dark brown/mulberry color. The mucus is sticky, which could cause the cecotropes to pick up a layer of hay, wood shavings, or fur from their environment. While feces is the body’s way of discarding everything your body doesn’t need from your food, aka the ‘waste,’ cecotropes are a little different. These pellets contain partially digested foods that passed through your rabbit’s system without the nutrients being absorbed the first time. They are packed with nutrients as well as helpful bacteria and fungi that support a healthy gastrointestinal system. When you see a rabbit eating their waste, they are usually eating these cecotropes. This allows them to absorb the much-needed nutrients that would otherwise be lost.

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