Founded in 2004, the CARES (Conservation, Awareness, Recognition and Responsibility, Encouragement and Education, and Support and Sharing) Preservation Program is based on the critical and timely significance of conservation, educating the public and bringing awareness as hobbyists to the issues involved, public recognition of members, our responsibilities as fishkeepers, member encouragement, sharing of fish and data, and support for those who take part in playing a vital role in ensuring a positive future for species at risk. The purpose of the CARES Preservation Program is to encourage hobbyists worldwide to devote tank space to one or more species at risk and distribute offspring to fellow qualified hobbyists, while forming an information network where possible between aquarists, scientists, and conservationists.

CARES is designed to be implemented through local aquarium societies and national as well as international organizations. This way, participants will have the greatest opportunity to distribute and locate fish, and to share their experiences with like-minded hobbyists.

CARES has four major goals:

1. To bring awareness to the critical situation of fish in nature, while educating the public and stressing the importance of our roles as responsible aquarists;
2. To recognize, encourage, and offer support to hobbyists who maintain species at risk;
3. To share fish as well as data and experiences through notes and manuscripts so that others may learn to maintain those identical and similar species; and
4. To preserve species at risk for future generations.