Here is part of Paul’s acceptance speech when he was awarded the Humane Generation Award at the Humane Society of the United State’s 60th Anniversary Gala.

I know that one of the main reasons that I’m here is because I happen to be on a television series that has a massive youth following. Based on the interactions that I’ve had with Vampire Diaries fans all over the world, young people today are comprised of an incredible morally grounded generation. When presented with logic and with facts, they want to do the right thing. So ultimately I think this Humane Generation Award is representative of the younger generation that will take the right steps to create a positive change for the future.