AKC Companion Animal Recovery (AKC CAR), an affiliate of the AKC, is dedicated to reuniting lost pets with their owners.

AKC CAR, the nation's largest nonprofit recovery service, maintains a state-of-the-art international database of microchipped, tattooed, and collar-tagged pets. Skilled recovery coordinators utilize the database to provide lifetime recovery services 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, for dogs, cats, and 33 other species.

There are more than 3.1 million animals enrolled in the program. Coordinators have recovered more than 295,000 animals since the program's inception in 1995. AKC CAR recovers a lost pet every 7 minutes, around the clock.

The AKC CAR Canine Support and Relief Fund works with state emergency-response units, local shelters, rescue organizations, and dog clubs to provide immediate assistance for pets affected by natural disasters. The fund provides food, water, crates, collars, leashes, and other essential supplies. The Fund is also used to make grants to search-and-rescue teams around the country.

In the wake of Hurricane Katrina, the AKC CAR Canine Support and Relief Fund collected over $1.1 million to provide relief in the affected areas. AKC CAR staff visited the Gulf region immediately after the hurricane struck to assess needs and coordinate shipments of critical supplies.

In 2005, AKC CAR contributed $100,000 to veterinary student scholarships. For in-depth information on these and other activities, visit www.akccar.org, or call 800-252-7894 to speak with an AKC CAR representative.