Questions
· What is America's Pet Registry?
· Who Controls APRI?
· Why do we need another pet registry?
· Restrict the Pet Industry? How?
· Why not use one of the other registries?
· What immediate benefits do the breeder and distributor have by using America's Pet Registry?
· Why doesn't APRI accept most other registries at face value?
· I have an APRI registered dog and an AKC registered dog. Can I breed them and register the litter?
· Is APRI the same registry as American Purebred Registry (APR)?
· Does APRI require DNA profiling of breeding dogs, and what is APRI's position on DNA profiling?
· Another registration service is publishing literature stating that a "pet" is an inferior dog. What gives?
· Why can't I register my dog online without sending the registration application to APRI?
· The registration numbers for both the sire and dam of my dog are almost identical, only one number on the end being different. Both numbers end in "T." Does this mean they are litter mates or related?
· What do APRI registration numbers mean?
· I have not registered my dog with AKC, but I have the registration application. Must I register it with AKC before I can register it with APRI?
· Will APRI register a dog for me if I furnish the AKC registration number?
· I need to know how to register a dog without papers? The parents have them, but the owners did not register the puppies. How do I do this?
· What do I need to register a litter?
· I have a breeder ID number and have been granted permission to the online litter registration site with a password, but it doesn't work for me. What is wrong?
· I've been told that APRI offers free dual registrations to breeders. How do I qualify?
· How does APRI make money if you give free dual registration?
· Does APRI offer a "Limited Registration" so that the dog cannot be used for breeding?
· I recently bought a puppy, and, until I received the papers, I didn't realize it was sold to me with a "limited" registration. I am going to send the papers to the AKC, but was wondering if, once I receive the papers, could I then register the pup with AKC?
· I called your office wanting the phone number and address of the breeder of my puppy. Why won't you supply that?

 

Answers

· What is America's Pet Registry?

America's Pet Registry, Inc. is an internationally recognized association of responsible pet owners, breeders, distributors, veterinarians, retailers, pet product manufacturers, and other concerned parties dedicated to the humane care of animals, the preservation of quality bloodlines, and the individual's right of pet ownership. As such, all share a deep commitment to our animal wards.

America's Pet Registry is the nation's only dog and cat pet registry service dedicated to the pet owner and to the preservation of the professional pet industry;

America's Pet Registry is the nation's only dog and cat pet registry dedicated to preserving the individual's right to own and breed pets;

America's Pet Registry is the nation's only pet registry service chartered and supported by the pet industry itself;

America's Pet Registry is the nation's only pet registry that dedicates all funds to promote pet ownership and the pet industry;

America's Pet Registry is the nation's only pet registry specifically chartered to protect pet owners' rights and to promote pet ownership;

America's Pet Registry provides excellent, down-to-earth customer service and maintains courteous problem resolution along with the fastest service in the industry;

America's Pet Registry encourages, not discourages, responsible pet breeding and pet ownership; and

America's Pet Registry boosts pet owner recognition with Premier Pet Citizen Awards.

No other registration service can make all those claims, not that any other would want to do so. All the other registries and kennel clubs are self-serving and/or antagonistic toward the pet industry, and many actually discourage pet breeding and pet ownership.

For a brochure and more information on America's Pet Registry, Inc. please email your address and we'll be glad to send it.
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· Who Controls APRI?

APRI is managed by a board of directors equally dedicated to preserving the individual's right to own and breed pets. If you as a professional breeder ever contributed to a puppy check-off in the 1980's or 90's, YOU PAID FOR THE REGISTRY, and it is your organization.

APRI recently re-incorporated as a for-profit corporation. We were advised by our CPA and our attorney that we could not contribute to many political issues affecting the pet industry and pet ownership as a non-profit corporation (as we were for the first 10 years of our existence). Since protecting and promoting pet ownership and the breeding of pets is one of our primary goals, we need to be able to promote favorable legislation and oppose unfavorable legislative attempts to restrict or eliminate pet owners and breeders.
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· Why do we need another pet registry?

America's Pet Registry, Inc. was begun as insurance for the pet industry and for the world of pet lovers. The professional pet industry is dependant on a registration service for the purebred animals it raises. Proposals are constantly introduced before the major registry services that would restrict the pet industry. Therefore, it is imperative that the pet industry have a registry service available -- a service that represents the basic interests of pet owners and the pet industry, and one that offers economical and friendly services to all.
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· Restrict the Pet Industry? How?
 

The idea of restricting the pet trade through registry services is not new, and most breed clubs, major kennel clubs, and cattery organizations discourage or prohibit selling animals wholesale to distributors or retailers. Some simply deny registration of any dog or cat sold through a pet store even if that pet carries registration papers. While most currently grudgingly accept for registration the animals sold through pet stores, the possibility of that changing is very real and always present. Also, other proposals that would severely limit the supply of purebred puppies and kittens available to the pet-loving public are constantly being made by and to various registry services to restrict the breeding and registration of cats and dogs. If these proposals had become policy before APRI's inception, there would have been no time to organize an effective, reputable alternative registration service. The industry needed it's own registry service well established before a catastrophe, and, fortunately it has achieved this with America's Pet Registry.
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· Why not use one of the other registries?

The other registry services lack one very important element that APRI has -- A foundation resting solidly on the professional pet industry, an industry of knowledgeable pet breeders that strives to produce the very best pets possible. APRI was funded by the professional pet industry and pet owners and is dedicated to the preservation of the individual's right to own and breed pets. Funds from the APRI registry are dedicated to furthering the interests of pet owners and the entire pet industry. No other registry service can make these claims, nor would any other want to do so. America's Pet Registry offers the pet professional a credible alternative. Also, many of the alternative registry services will issue registration papers on almost any animal regardless of the authenticity of its ancestry or the validity of previous registration or pedigree. To survive, the professional pet industry must be credible; to be credible, the industry must depend on a credible registration service. America's Pet Registry, Inc. is above reproach in documentation and record keeping.
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· What immediate benefits do the breeder and distributor have by using America's Pet Registry?

Besides the immediate and long range insurance benefits, America's Pet Registry, Inc. is the perfect customer relations tool. By explaining that The Registry helps protect the public's right of pet ownership, both the breeder and the distributor have an opportunity to reinforce the importance of the professional pet industry in today's market and to elicit support from the consumer public. No other registry service is directly connected to the professional pet industry through its nonprofit status. APRI furnishes promotional materials free of charge directly to the breeder, the distributor, and the retailer. As a service organization dedicated to the pet owner and the pet industry, everything from registration services to promotional materials is furnished free or as economically as possible.
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· Why doesn't APRI accept most other registries at face value?

Almost all other registration services will register dogs "off the street" without any documentation of purebred status whatsoever. There are dozens of canine registration services in the United States, and a search of them will reveal that almost all of them openly state they will register anything. Most are more interested in the registration fees than in the integrity of the service or breed.

Most only require a statement that the owner has whatever breed they claim the dog is; a few require photographs. However, all knowledgeable pet owners and breeders know that just because a dog happens to look like a particular breed doesn't mean it is actually purebred and will produce puppies that look like that breed.

APRI strives to maintain the highest integrity and demands documented proof of purebred status to dual register a dog.
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· I have an APRI registered dog and an AKC registered dog. Can I breed them and register the litter?

APRI accepts all AKC dog registration certificates at face value if the breeder/owner is in good standing with AKC. The AKC dog can be dual registered with APRI and any litters produced may then be registered with APRI.

Dual registration does not remove the current registration; it merely means the dog is now registered with more than one service.
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· Is APRI the same registry as American Purebred Registry (APR)?

America's Pet Registry, Inc. IS NOT American Purebred Registry. APRI went by the initials "APR" for a few years until we found we were being confused with that other APR. We've since added the "I" for "Inc." to our initials to distinguish us from the other service. Please always refer to APRI that way unless you state the entire name.
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· Does APRI require DNA profiling of breeding dogs, and what is APRI's position on DNA profiling?

This is really a two-part question.

APRI does not require DNA profiling of registered breeding dogs. If a pet owner or breeder has had a DNA profile completed, APRI offers the opportunity to list that on the registration certificate.

It has been the stated policy of APRI for years that if we ever offer DNA to our breeders, it will be when it is economically feasible. No registry can afford to offer genuine and valid DNA profiling to all registrants absolutely free unless there is a loophole or an exclusionary clause. When DNA profiling costs as much or more than a registration fee, no legitimate registry can afford to loose money for publicity purposes.

APRI will OFFER it (emphasis on "offer") when it is economical enough (and it will be someday). We will let the breeders who want it pay for it, and APRI will reimburse them up to that cost with free litter registrations.

To assure the highest level of integrity, microchips will be required in each dog with a DNA profile. However, even with that, it comes down to personal integrity unless a registry representative physically takes all DNA samples and inserts the microchip.

Even then, though, it is personal integrity because the registry representative must take the owner’s word that the dog is actually the one he says it is.

It has been argued that, ten or twenty generations down the road, with the registry representative inspecting every litter at birth and inserting a microchip while taking the DNA sample, we MIGHT be relatively sure that the dogs are who they are supposed to be. Is there a breeder anywhere willing to support such a program? Litter registration fees would be in the hundreds of dollars each, if not thousands, for personal inspection of each one.

Even then, though, there is no assurance of purebred heritage because the DNA profile of the original dogs cannot determine breed. It returns to personal integrity.

DNA profiling is beneficial to the honest breeder, but the only thing DNA profiling can absolutely hope to accomplish overall is to provide a public relations tool to those who feel they need it.
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· Another registration service is publishing literature stating that a "pet" is an inferior dog. What gives?

That, frankly, is a direct attempt to disparage America's PET Registry, Inc.

As the alternative choice of the vast majority of pet owners and professional pet breeders, APRI is gaining wide recognition.

Degrading "pet" is merely an unsuccessful attempt to attack the credibility of APRI.

APRI can't be honestly attacked on our service, our integrity, or our economical fees, and that leaves nothing else with which to discredit us. Thus, by attacking our name, the attempt is to persuade others that APRI registers only inferior dogs! Innumerable pet owners and superior breeders know otherwise.

That other service states that dogs should be classified as "Show," "Standard," and "Pet," with "pet" being substandard and of poor quality. Does that mean no one should say "I have a pet" unless it is faulty or sick? Or that each person should state, "I own a show dog," or "I own a standard dog," or "I own a pet dog?" Hardly. Millions of "pets" are also show dogs or of show quality.
That campaign appears to be a direct slap at all businesses that use "pet" in their names or in any of their advertising.

If "pet" were truly a derogatory term, how many people would ever enter a "pet shop?"
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· Why can't I register my dog online without sending the registration application to APRI?

In order to assure the integrity of APRI and the registration process, the registration application (puppy paper) must be returned to the APRI office in order to name and register the individual dog. If registration were allowed without returning the application, unscrupulous owners could use the application on another dog and pass it on to an unsuspecting person who would then be denied registration since the application would already be registered in the APRI database.
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· The registration numbers for both the sire and dam of my dog are almost identical, only one number on the end being different. Both numbers end in "T." Does this mean they are litter mates or related?

It isn't likely the dogs are related. If the registration numbers end in "T," that simply means the breeder transferred both dogs to APRI at the same time, and the computer issued consecutive numbers.
Dogs from the same litter would have exactly the same number except for the letter on the end (A, B, C, etc.).
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· What do APRI registration numbers mean?

APRI registration numbers code much information into the number.

Example: C99-YW-AB-68482C

The first letter is the month the number was issued: A=January, B=February, C=March, etc. The two numerals indicate the year.

The next two letters indicate the sexes in the litter with the males listed first. Count from the letter to the end of the alphabet: Y, Z = 2 males; W, X, Y, Z = 4 females.

The next two litters indicate the breed. In this case, AB means Yorkshire Terrier.

The next five numerals indicate the actual registration number, and they start over each month.

The letter on the end indicates the specific puppy in the litter. The "C" in this case indicates the first female.

APRI sexes are coded in the registration number and printed on the registration applications. These cannot be changed by the breeder or anyone else outside the APRI office. Even if the breeder made a mistake in the number of each sex, it cannot be corrected without reissuing the entire litter.
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· I have not registered my dog with AKC, but I have the registration application. Must I register it with AKC before I can register it with APRI?

You do not have to register the dog with AKC first, but, unless the AKC paper is in your name as current owner, you must send the original AKC paper and all transfers to our office. We will photocopy them in our office and stamp the copies that we actually inspected them. We will then return your original papers with the APRI certificate.

If you register with AKC first, APRI will accept a photocopy of the registration certificate showing you as current owner.
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· Will APRI register a dog for me if I furnish the AKC registration number?

We're sorry, but having an AKC registration number is not proof of dog ownership.

Many less reputable registration services will do this, but anyone can go to the AKC studbooks and obtain the number for any dog. The services allowing this practice mean, in effect, that anyone can obtain a registration certificate claiming ownership to any dog desired.

Disreputable people can always find a way to be dishonest, but APRI will not be a willing accomplish to subterfuge.
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· I need to know how to register a dog without papers? The parents have them, but the owners did not register the puppies. How do I do this?

In order for APRI to register any dog, there must be either a registration application (puppy paper) or a registration certificate from a reputable registration service that we recognize.

If the owner(s) of the sire and dam of your dog dual register the parents with America's Pet Registry, Inc., APRI would then allow them to register you dog as a litter from which you could then register your dog.
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· What do I need to register a litter?

An APRI breeder ID number is required to enter a litter into our database. You may apply for a breeder ID number from this web site under "Online New Breeder Application," or we can mail you a hard copy.

Once you have a breeder ID number, you may register litters with APRI. With a password and a valid credit card, you may even register litters online. Your breeder ID serves as your "user name," and you may choose your own password or APRI can assign one if you prefer.

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· I have a breeder ID number and have been granted permission to the online litter registration site with a password, but it doesn't work for me. What is wrong?

We routinely test each user name and password before we confirm it with you. However, it's possible we made an error when sending it to you. If so, we will test it again and correct it immediately if that is the case.

When a breeder can't access the site, it is almost always that all letters, including the "b" on the breeder ID number (user name), are not entered in lower case. No capital letters are allowed in either the user name or the password.

If you continue to have problems, feel free to contact our technical support department at gk@aprpets.org
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· I've been told that APRI offers free dual registrations to breeders. How do I qualify?

APRI offers free dual registrations on dogs from reputable registration services to professional breeders. We classify a professional breeder as one who has three or more breeding females and who regularly sells puppies in the pet market.
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· How does APRI make money if you give free dual registration?

Professional breeders register litters and pay litter registration fees. That brings in part of our resources.

The remainder comes from the pet owner who chooses to register the dog with APRI and from those who purchase pedigrees.

As has been stated, APRI is dedicated to the preservation of the individual's right to own and breed pets.

We aren't in the registration service for the maximum monetary return. We feel the best use of resources is to leave more money in the hands of professional breeders and their organizations that work for the good of all pet owners and breeders.
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· Does APRI offer a "Limited Registration" so that the dog cannot be used for breeding?

APRI does not currently offer a limited registration.

We feel that if a breeder wants to restrict the activities of the pet owner regarding breeding, the breeder should either neuter the dog or have a contract with the pet owner to do so.

According to progressive veterinarian colleges, it quite acceptable to neuter both males and females at seven to 10 weeks of age, so there is no excuse for not neutering early if the dog is not intended to be bred.

Early neutering also saves the consumer the trauma of worrying about the surgery.

We have found that, with the restriction offered by some registries, too often the pet owner is unaware of the restriction imposed by the breeder until he/she has already obtained the pet, fallen in love with it, and then found later that there was a restriction imposed which was not explained at the time of acquisition.

If the animal is undesirable for breeding, the potential owner should be made aware before obtaining it and the agreement settled at that time.

We have also found that many breeders impose the restriction only to limit competition.
In either instance, we feel the animal should be neutered and the potential owner made aware of it.

Limiting registration privileges does not limit breeding; it only limits the registration of the puppies produced.
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· I recently bought a puppy, and, until I received the papers, I didn't realize it was sold to me with a "limited" registration. I am going to send the papers to the AKC, but was wondering if, once I receive the papers, could I then register the pup with AKC?

APRI will dual register any AKC dog if the breeder/owner is in good standing with AKC.

We do not restrict breeding simply because of the limited registration (see comments to previous question). However, we expect pet owners and breeders to refrain from breeding any dog with limited registration if it is limited because of genetic or health problems.

All potential pet owners and breeders should seriously question the reason behind any limited registration.
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· I called your office wanting the phone number and address of the breeder of my puppy. Why won't you supply that?

All APRI records are strictly confidential by board policy. We do not divulge any information about anyone, including a pet owner such as yourself, to anyone or to any organization.

We gladly contact a breeder when this situation arises, and we ask if he/she will contact the pet owner or we will ask for permission to release the information. The decision is always the breeder's and we abide by it. The same applies to the pet owner.

By-the-way, the breeder's name with address is on the registration application, so anyone may use that for contact. However, once the dog is registered, only the breeder's name appears on the registration certificate.

We do not sell mailing lists, nor do we give other organizations access to the information.
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