Pets and People Together is a wonderful new pet launched by the Ad Council, Maddie’s Fund and the Humane Society of the United States. #BeAHelper is just the first messaging wave, encouraging us all to help pets and people in our communities by keeping them together as the best place for pets is with their people.

“We are incredibly excited for this new campaign. If the last few years have taught us anything, it’s the vital role our pets play in our health, happiness and well-being, and how amazing it is when our community comes together,” says Mary Ippoliti-Smith, Executive Leadership Team at Maddie’s Fund in the campaign announcement. “Keeping families together is more important than ever, and we all have the opportunity to help make this happen.”

Any of us could have a crisis that affects our ability care for our pets. Help those in this situation by:

• Donating pet food to a pantry
• Donating funds for vet care
• Fostering a pet short- or long-term for someone in need
• Helping to reunite a lost pet with their family or sharing what to do when someone loses their pet.

Kitty Block, President and CEO of the Humane Society of the United States, says about the program, “Our new Pets and People Together campaign highlights that each of us has a role to play in our community to help ensure that families and their beloved pets stay together.”

The campaign has three new video public service announcements (PSAs). The heartwarming film “Magic Hour” shows how the small act of donating pet supplies to families in need brings joy to pet owners and their pets. The second film, “Muse,” unveils how financial donations from “helpers” keep pets and people together through unexpected hardship. The third film, “Moon,” looks at the benefits of short-term foster care by neighbors or friends and how it can make a huge impact.

Creative agency Wunderman Thompson donated its services to develop the strategy and create the PSAs. In addition to television PSAs, the campaign features print, digital, out-of-home and radio PSAs. The resource-packed website, PetsandPeopleTogether.org, was developed in partnership with digital agency Viget.

“Pets and People Together showcases the important role that community can play in keeping pets and people together. Everyday people can take actions both big and small to help ensure families with pets can stay together, even in the face of financial or medical hardships, or if a pet gets separated from their family,” says Heidi Arthur, Chief Campaign Development Officer at Ad Council, in the announcement. “We’ve proven countless times that when the Ad Council partners with the Humane Society of the United States and Maddie’s Fund, we can change an issue for the better. We’re proud of our continued partnership with these two impactful organizations.”

Want to see what you can do or find out more information? Go to petsandpeopletogether.org to learn valuable information ilike how to foster a pet for a friend, neighbor or family member or how to donate toward the cost of a pet’s veterinary care and what to do when you find or lose a pet. Follow @Pets and People Together on social media. Use the hashtag #BeAHelper to share what you are doing in your community to help keep pets and people together.