Amid the current controversy surroundingActivision Blizzard laying off employeeswhile simultaneously giving CEO Bobby Kotick a huge financial payout, the company is at the same time launching theWorld of WarcraftCharity Pet Program that was originally announced during BlizzCon 2021 in February.
TheWoWCharity Pet Programcalls for players to donate their money directly to Doctors Without Borders, or Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), beginning March 31 through July 22, 2025. All donations will go toward the MSF COVID-19 Crisis Fund that has been set up to assist the organization’s global response efforts to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic and its consequences, both short and long-term.
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The majority of thefunds raised for Doctors Without Bordersthrough the Charity Pet Program will go towards acquiring important medical supplies like oxygen for patients and personal protective equipment for medical staff. The money will assist with training staff on handling and treating cases of COVID-19, implementing infection and control measures, and creating isolation zones in clinics and hospitals.
The impetus for players to donate, besides helping a good cause, is that once certain milestones are reached, Blizzard will gift allWorld of Warcraftgamers with up to two in-game pets. Using the specially provided Charity Pet Program link, the company will track player donations and, once the milestone of $500,000 is reached, Bananas the Monkey will become available. After the stretch goal of $1 million is attained, Daisy the Sloth will be gifted to all players.
Bananas the Monkey is the son of King Mukla, the leader of the Skymane Gorillas, but retains none of his progenitor’s fierce disposition. A gentle little ape, Bananas was originally added toWorld of Warcraftin 2006 and could be obtained from Landro Longshot in Booty Bay in the Cape of Stranglethorn. Until now, he has been considered a rare pet because he could only be redeemed using the hard-to-find King Mukla card found in theWorld of Warcrafttrading card game’s “Through the Dark Portal” expansion. He shares an in-game model with the Baby Ape pet and Nanners.
Daisy the Sloth is the second pet that can be unlocked through the Charity Pet Program. A brand newWorld of Warcraftbattle petadded to the game for this event, Daisy wears a flower in her hair and will respond to the /beckon command, hop onto her owner’s shoulders and, in typical sloth fashion, allow herself to be carried around.
It’s important to note that neither Bananas the Monkey nor Daisy the Sloth will be available inWorld of Warcraft Classicor theWorld of Warcraft: Burning Crusade Classicexpansion.Both pets, if unlocked, will be available to claim through players’ Battle.net accounts through August 05, 2025.
