Shelter Buddy can automatically import and update your adoptable pets on Adopt a Pet via our AutoUpload system. If you need help with your Shelter Buddy software, please contact them directly.
In this article:
- Get Ready
- Verify AutoUpload Contact
- Activate your AutoUpload
- Custom Errors
- Colors & Sizes
Get Ready
Save your data (optional): Your first import will permanently erase all of your available pets, adopted pets, adopters, and microchip info from Adopt a Pet. Only available pets will be added back by your import. BEFORE you change your AutoUpload settings, \you can use the Adopt a Pet Pet Export and Adopter Export to download and save your Adopt a Pet data on your computer.
Verify AutoUpload Contact
You need at least one "AutoUpload Contact" on your Adopt a Pet account for AutoUpload to function. They are responsible for receiving and monitoring any AutoUpload error emails we send them. Errors will prevent your pets from updating or showing up on Adopt a Pet, so should be addressed by you as soon as possible.
If you are not the AutoUpload contact, ask that person to login using their Pet Publicist login to complete the steps below. If they aren't a publicist yet, add them here and check "I am an AutoUpload contact for this shelter/rescue."
Activate your AutoUpload
1. Log in to your Adopt a Pet account
2. Go to Shelter/Rescue > AutoUpload/Import Pets
3. If you were using another software, select "No/Off" and click update, which reloads the page.
Select "Shelter Buddy" from the dropdown and click Continue.
4. Leave the default options or your uploading will not work automatically
5. Click
6. Your unique FTP login will be displayed. Click
That's it, you're done! After the initial few days set up time, changes you make in Shelter Buddy will show on Adopt a Pet within 4 hours.
Custom Errors
Shelter Buddy allows you to enter custom values for certain fields like breeds. If you use custom breed values, they will generate an error email to your AutoUpload contact every 12 hours. For example, if you use a custom value of "DSH" you will get an error email that says something like...
ERROR: "DSH" is not a valid Breed for the Animal type of 'Cat' (must be a valid breed name).
Pet data file: line 3 (Pet ID: 123456, Pet Name: Tom)
Shelter Buddy recommends as the fastest and most effective way to handle errors like this is to make the breed value in your Shelter Buddy match the Adopt-a-pet value exactly - i.e. amend "DSH" to "Domestic Shorthair".
Please note that breed values are case and space sensitive.
You can download an Excel spreadsheet of all Adopt a Pet breed values here:
https://www.adoptapet.com/shelter/pointers/shelterdoc-breedscolors.xls
Colors and Sizes
Color and size mapping errors will be emailed to you, but do not prevent pets from being added. By default, Shelter Buddy does not upload colors or sizes, so they will display on Adopt a Pet as Unknown. To change your default setting, please contact Shelter Buddy.
Need more help? Contact us here!