• Ian Somerhlder and wife Nikki Reed with a furbaby; the couple believes cruelty to animals is unacceptable.

Ian Somerhlder and wife Nikki Reed with a furbaby; the couple believes cruelty to animals is unacceptable. (Photo : Instagram)

Ian Somerhalder recently ramped up his social media campaign to try to put an end to dog fighting.

The "Vampire Diaries" actor and his wife Nikki Reed have long been staunch animal rights advocates, joining Hollywood's powerful voices that call for an end to animal cruelty.

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Somerhalder is regarded as a social media force, given his millions of followers on Instagram and Twitter. He ranks among the top three Hollywood celebrities earnestly speaking out for animal rights, Rover reported.

Months ago, the "Years of Living Dangerously" actor wrote on Instagram that it blows his mind to see millions of pooches hurt and killed every year, or caged in uncomfortably chilly kennels only to be mercilessly killed.

Somerhalder's shout-out for an end to the abandonment, abuse and killing of dogs garnered over half million likes and positive comments.

Recently, the 36-year-old American heartthrob enjoined people to join him, his wife, and animal rights advocates like the Humane Society International in taking a stand versus dog fighting.

A pledge of support to Humane Society International as it ramps up a campaign to make dogfighting illegal across the world can be found in the HSI website.

Pet parents like Somerhalder and his wife are appalled by the widespread practice of forcibly making two dogs  fight each other in an intense, brutal manner, for the amusement of humans.

Somerhalder and his wife have teamed up with well-meaning organizations that strive to bring an end to animal abuse worldwide. A collective voice will put a stop to dogfighting, he recently wrote on Instagram.

The responsible guardian of canines, felines, and a horse tweeted over a year ago that if somebody catches sight any individual perpetuating dog fighting, the next step ought to be to call the authorities to report the matter.

Today, with the help of his own animal rights group and with other Hollywood pet lovers, Somerhalder hopes to turn the tide in the fight against dogfighting and other blatant forms of animal abuse.