Frequently Asked Questions

Q:  What is AKC Companion Animal Recovery?

A:  AKC Companion Animal Recovery (AKC CAR), a not-for-profit organization, is an affiliate of the American Kennel Club. AKC CAR is dedicated to providing lifetime recovery services for uniquely identified animals. An owner's name, address, and telephone number are linked to the pet's unique identification number, whether it is a microchip, tattoo, or AKC CAR issued collar tag.

The recovery service is staffed 24 hours a day, 365 days a year with AKC CAR employees located in the Raleigh AKC Operations office. In 2007, AKC CAR began offering the AKC CAR ID System™ microchip in order to increase the number of microchipped animals and thereby increase the number of pets that could be recovered.

Visit www.akccar.org or call 1-800-252-7894 for enrollment or microchip information.

Q:  Is there a difference between AKC Companion Animal Recovery and HomeAgain®?

A:  YES. For ten years, AKC CAR had been the recovery service provider for the HomeAgain® microchip. As of February 4, 2005, the enrollment form in the HomeAgain® microchip packaging no longer included an AKC CAR enrollment form. Customers can choose to enroll with the nation's largest non-profit recovery service, AKC CAR, or with other less experienced, "for-profit" databases. AKC CAR enrolls all identified pets regardless of brand.

AKC CAR launched the AKC CAR ID System™ microchip in March 2007 (see AKC CAR microchip-related information below).

Q: What if I enrolled my pet during that 10-year period? Is my pet safe? Can my pet be recovered?

A: All pets enrolled prior to February 4, 2005 are safely enrolled with AKC Companion Animal Recovery. No further action is necessary on your part. AKC CAR will continue its dedication to recovering your pet for its life. If you recently enrolled your pet, be assured, your pet is protected by AKC CAR's 24/7 recovery service.

Q: If my lost pet is found, how can I be sure that AKC CAR will be contacted?

A: For the past 12 years, AKC CAR has worked with vets and shelters to recover over 320,000 pets. Additionally, with every new microchip enrollment, AKC CAR provides a free collar tag with the pet's microchip number and the AKC CAR recovery hotline to all enrollees.

Q: What happens if someone calls AKC CAR about a microchipped pet that is not enrolled with AKC CAR?

A: As a non-profit organization that is solely focused on recovering pets, AKC CAR will do everything possible to reunite you with your lost pet. Although we cannot guarantee the safe recovery of your pet, if not enrolled with AKC CAR, we will use all of our resources to help bring your pet home.

Q: Does AKC CAR sell its customer information?

A: NO. AKC CAR does not sell its customer information. The customer information is used solely for pet recovery.

Q: Has the enrollment fee been increased?

A: No. Unlike other services that are raising their fees and charging higher prices, AKC CAR is maintaining its standard enrollment fee of $12.50. AKC CAR will also continue to honor its discounted non-profit enrollment rates for shelters and rescue groups.

Q: Are there any additional fees?

A: No. There are no annual or hidden fees. Plus, AKC CAR offers free updates to your pet's record.

Q: Why should I enroll my pet with AKC Companion Animal Recovery?

A: Any of the following reasons:

Nation's largest non-profit recovery service.
Dedicated to recovering your pets.
Low, one-time enrollment fee of $12.50.
Offers free updates to your pet's record.

Q: When will my pet be entered into the enrollment system? When can I expect to receive a confirmation letter after enrolling?

A: Your information typically is entered into our enrollment system within 3 business days after receipt of your enrollment form. By using our new online enrollment system, your pet can be protected immediately.

Your confirmation letter and collar tag will be sent within three to four weeks from the time that your pet is entered into the enrollment system

Q: How do I enroll with AKC Companion Animal Recovery?

A: There are several ways to enroll:

1. You can enroll your pet in real time with AKC CAR's online enrollment system at www.akccar.org/enroll.

2. Go to www.akccar.org/enroll/enroll.cfm, download our enrollment form, and mail it to the address below.

3. Call AKC CAR at 1-800-252-7894, and we will mail/fax/email our enrollment form to you.

4. Once you have the AKC CAR enrollment form, you can fax the form with credit card payment to 919-233-1290.

AKC Companion Animal Recovery
8051 Arco Corporate Drive, Suite 200
Raleigh, NC 27617-3900