The website, meanwhile, is powerful whether or not you’re a researcher. You can explore about 4.5 million images (as of this writing) using a map with helpful filters for species, countries, dates and specific projects. If you want to find pictures of giraffes in Kenya, you can go directly to the camera traps that spotted them.

Google’s database will only be as useful as the number of uploads, and there’s no guarantee this will lead to meaningful conservation efforts. However, this does give policy makers a better chance of making more informed decisions that could curb animal population losses and, hopefully, spare some species from the threat of extinction.

You’ll pay a “small surcharge” to ride with your furry friend, though. You’ll see the fee on your receipt and Uber’ll add it to the upfront price if you choose that option.

It could help both riders and drivers avoid any unwanted surprises. It might give you peace of mind that a driver is happy to have a pet in their car and won’t cancel as soon as they see your dog or cat (or another animal). Drivers can opt out of Uber Pet if they’d rather not ferry them around, but those who don’t mind doing so will get a cut of that surcharge.

It’s worth noting this doesn’t bring about any changes to Uber’s service animal policy. Riders with service animals won’t be expected or required to select Uber Pet or pay the surcharge.