Due to the rising number of natural disasters around the world, including Hurricanes Harvey and Irma, and flooding in South Asia, Blizzard has decided to release this year's World of Warcraft charity pet ahead of time. 

The studio usually launches its annual charity companion during BlizzCon, but with the so many parts of the world currently dealing with natural disasters, Blizzard says it felt compelled to "act now." 

That means players can buy this year's pet, an "artful fox named Shadow," for $10 right now, with Blizzard donating 100 percent of that adoption fee to both the American Red Cross Disaster Relief and the International Federation of Red Cross Disaster (IFRC) Relief Fund. 

"For every Shadow fox adopted between now and December 31, 2017, 100 pecent of the adoption fee will be donated to both American Red Cross Disaster Relief and IFRC Disaster Relief Fund," explained the studio.

"Your donation will be split equally between both organizations: for the American Red Cross to help people affected by disasters big and small in the U.S., and the IFRC to help Red Cross Red Crescent Societies respond to disasters through their Disaster Relief Emergency fund."

Those interested can adopt their own shadowy sidekick by paying a visit to World of Warcraft's in-game store or the Blizzard online shop.