13 Times Birthday Girl Nikki Reed Was the Ultimate Animal Lover

By Anna Hecht
Updated May 17, 2016 @ 6:30 am
Instagram/@iamnikkireed

It's no secret birthday girl Nikki Reed is a total animal lover. Aside from being an animal rights activist, she's the brains behind a Peta-approved, cruelty-free bag line in collaboration with Freedom of Animals and she also volunteers at animal shelters in her free time. Today, Reed turns 28—and we can't believe all she's accomplished at such a young age.

On Instagram, the actress, who's perhaps best known for having starred in The Twilight Saga, regularly shares her passion for animals. Often pictured in photos with her actor hubby, Ian Somerhalder, 37, Reed and her man are always up to some "do-gooder" activity—and usually said activities involve the cutest animals possible. See for yourself in photos below.

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Canine Cuddles

Instagram/@iamnikkireed

Reed posed with this cute pup for a Freedom of Animals promotional ad. She captioned the photo: "Oh I love my girl! And she loves the belt bag :) Recycle. Reuse. Repurpose."

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Posing with Pups

Instagram/@iamnikkireed

For her latest Freedom of Animals ad campaign, Reed modeled a cruelty-free bag from her collection and held tight to her canine comrade's leash.

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Busy Bee

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Clearly, the animal-loving actress has no fear when it comes to bugs. In fact, she wants to protect them. Of this photo, Reed wrote: "I once heard someone say that bees were messengers of love. Think about how sweet that sounds. It makes me smile just typing it. So while we spend this time celebrating love, let's also research ways to protect bees, who are the true messengers."

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Equestrian Kisses

Instagram/@iamnikkireed

In this sunkissed photo, Reed bent down to snuggle this happy horse as he grazed in the pasture. 

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Squirrel Snuggles

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Here, the actress is seen snuggling a snoozing "orphaned baby squirrel" after having bottle-fed it. So sweet.

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Nap Time

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Reed relaxed next to her loyal companion in this serene black-and-white Instagram.

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Reed's Foster Pup

Instagram/@iamnikkireed

After fostering this regal pup, Reed wrote: "It was so fun being your foster mama. I'll miss you little one."

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Puppy Love

Instagram/@iamnikkireed

Here, the actress smooched her pup and wrote of the photo: "This man. Those eyes. Seven years young. Wow time flies. Let's snuggle on the floor forever Enzo."

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An Equestrian Affair

Instagram/@iamnikkireed

Reed got down low in this sweet photo of she and a grazing horse. She captioned the picture: "A girl and her pony. Pretty great love story if you ask me."

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More Puppy Snuggles

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We really can't get enough—especially when the pictured pups are this cute.

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Bonding Time

Instagram/@iamnikkireed

Here, Reed, Somerhalder, and this happy horse posed for a smooch-filled photo. 

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Kittens Cuddles

Instagram/@iamnikkireed

Reed held tight to this cute kitty as it dozed off in her hand.

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Furry Family

Instagram/@iamnikkireed

Reed was all smiles as she kept this cute cat family company.

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By Anna Hecht