'Vampire Diaries' Actor Ian Somerhalder Partners With Wildlife Rescues in L.A.

He's not always sucking blood and hiding from the daylight! When the CW's Vampire Diaries star, Ian Somerhalder, isn't filming, he is supporter of International Bird Rescue and the Marine Mammal Center. He also developed his own namesake foundation to fight against pollution that affects the birds and animal cruelty.  The foundation itself has awarded $50,000 in animal medical emergency grants to organizations like International Bird Rescue. In partnership with Somerhalder, Procter & Gambler hopes to create a buzz about these issues by donating over 50,000 bottles of Dawn to International Bird Rescue and the Marine Mammal Center since 2006.

The typical household item "is the only thing that works," says Somerhalder. With his position as a TV celebrity, P&G and the International Bird Rescue hope that there will be more attention on these issues. According to the Cincinnati Business Courier, Somerhalder said, "It's so important to me to collaborate with people who see the inherent value of wildlife protection and the natural world as an integral part of our rich ecosystem and the preservation of our collective human experience. I'm honored to celebrate with Dawn and honor these compassionate wildlife volunteers and the animals they love." Clearly, Somerhalder is passionate not only about bird rescue but also about how Dawn helps clean the birds that are rescued. He goes on to say that Dawn has had over a 40-year relationship with the rescue and that it is simple, organic and assists the birds' ability to waterproof their feathers again after coming into contact with oil.

Just last Thursday, Somerhalder visited the Oiled Bird Care and Education Center in San Pedro, California. There he had the chance to assist an injured pelican be rehabilitated.  Once the birds are treated, they are released back into the wild at the end of their recovery period.

Somerhalder is also participating in the "We All Love Wildlife" video campaign. You can check that out here and tune in to the CW on Thursday nights to see Somerhalder as Damon Salvatore on the Vampire Diaries, along with his other co-stars Paul Wesley, Nina Dobrev, Candace Accola, Kat Graham and Zach Roerig.