I have to admit, Shannon Elizabeth went up in my estimation when I found out that she started a non-profit animal rescue organization, called Animal Avengers.

The dark haired beauty is probably best known for the role of Nadia, a sexy foreign-exchange student, in the "classic" film American Pie. She also energized her fan base when she appeared on season six of Dancing With Stars, where she was partnered with her current boyfriend, dancer Derek Hough. And she's also a skilled poker player!

This last hobby has been put to good use for the animals. In partnership with Bodog Entertainment, Shannon has participated in several charity events, including one night of poker that raised over $50,000 for Animal Avengers.

So what does Animal Avengers do? The short answer is, a little bit of everything. They rescue homeless animals, pay for veterinary care, plus find foster and adoptive homes for animals. They are a no-kill organization, so they are dedicated to finding a home for every single animal they rescue.

Besides her poker activities, Shannon helps Animal Avengers by selling autographed photos, and official Animal Avengers gear. Think baby tees and sparkly belt buckles. Check out some of the Animal Avengers schwag in the gallery.