Three features of your RescueGroups.org service you may not have noticed

Written March 22, 2013 by
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A backup for your data, pictures and videos

We understand the importance of your data and media.  That’s why we take close care of them for you.

We store your media and public files on a global content network so that they are always available.

You can export your data at any time.  You can export your pet information to a spreadsheet and even download your pet pictures.

If you upload pictures and videos to us, we can always upload them to new websites, or re-upload them to a website if they are accidentally deleted.

Easily broadcast your animal videos

Videos are the new pictures.  People who use videos with their adoptable pet listings have reported increased interest in their pets.  And with most new cell phones having high-definition video cameras embedded, they are becoming more and more popular as a way to advertise adoptable pets.

But how can you possibly upload your videos to multiple adoption listing websites, and meet all of their various requirements?

Well, RescueGroups.org does it for you.  And you may not have even noticed.

If you upload a video file to us, we can do several things with it:

  • Show it on your website, Pet Adoption Toolkit, API listings, etc.
  • Upload the video file to Petfinder via the Sync App
  • Upload the video file to YouTube
  • Add the YouTube Video URL to your pets on Adopt-a-Pet.com

And when we upload the video to YouTube we can even upload it under your organization’s account (otherwise we upload it to our RescueGroups account).

You can set your YouTube preferences by going to Animals > Settings > Export Settings.

Free 3-month service trials

If you’ve been using the Pet Adoption Portal for a while, maybe it’s time to consider a free trial of our Data Management, Online Forms iFrame or Website service!  You’ll get the same great features of the Portal, and the same great support and non-profit community.

You can add free trials to your account from the Services menu in your Manage account.

Learn more about our services on our website: https://www.rescuegroups.org/services/

Your requests and ideas are very important to us!

Written March 11, 2013 by
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We want to hear your requests, ideas and thoughts on how we can improve our services.  So we've added a Requests feature to our website!  Check it out here:

https://www.rescuegroups.org/requests/

You can take a look around, read the other requests, and vote on the ones you'd like to see implemented.

If you have an idea that hasn't already been mentioned, you can add it by clicking the Add Entry button.

You'll receive 10 votes a month to vote on the ideas and requests that are most important to you.  You can vote 10 times for one Request, or one time for 10 Requests -- it's up to you.  You can vote for any Requests, including your own.

We'll add comments and information to the Requests as we review them.  We'll update the status if the Request goes into the planning or development stages, and when it gets released.

Thank you for taking the time to make RescueGroups.org even better!  We're looking forward to seeing your ideas and feedback.

RescueGroups.org

API Update March 3, 2013

Written March 3, 2013 by
Categories: API, Developers
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We've made a few changes and updates to our APIs over the past week or two.

REST API

Limit for the updatedAfter timestamp

Rest API will now only return results from the past 10 days when you use the updatedAfter timestamp. Because of the volume of updates, after 10 days it makes more sense to just do a full download instead of using the updatedAfter timestamp.

Please note that the REST API will not return any results if your timestamp is more than 10 days in the past.

XML data download

We are working out the kinks in our new XML data download. The data currently is only available every few days, but we are hoping to get the export running every day and complete by 6 AM.

If you haven’t signed up for this new feature, please do so. Downloading a zipped XML file is a lot more efficient than processing pages of data… and you can have a full download every day (once it’s working on schedule).  You can enable this option by using the link in your API Key Verification email.

HTTP/json API

We’ve been steady improving and growing the HTTP/json API.

foundRows on public queries

Public animal queries will now return the foundRows value only if you specifically send calcFoundRows = “Yes” in your search properties. This change will reduce queries times significantly if you aren’t asking for the total matching row count.

Documentation

Documentation of the HTTP/json API can be found here:

http://support.rescuegroups.org:8091/x/FYA7

We’ve added additional documentation to the User Guide for the HTTP/json API. Specifically, a large page on the objects and available actions:

http://support.rescuegroups.org:8091/x/ewFa

SOAP API

Please note that we are in the process of retiring the SOAP API in favor of the HTTP/json API.  If you are developing or have already developed on the SOAP API please consider migrating to the HTTP/json API.  We do not currently have an end-of-life date for the SOAP API.

Searching for a Community-Focused Microchip Provider

Written February 28, 2013 by
Categories: Random Thoughts and Ideas
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Over the past 6 years, RescueGroups.org has surveyed our users concerning their experiences with microchips and their microchip suppliers.

Initially, the community seemed happy with their vendors and suppliers.  Comparing the survey results of the most well-known rescue/shelter microchip and animal management program, 93% of the survey respondents had a positive experience with that vendor in 2007.

However, in our survey earlier this year, only 26% of respondents were having a positive experience, and many were very unhappy.

The Problem

The issues experienced by our users have included:

  1. No “fail-back” registration to the rescue/shelter (in case the adopter doesn’t register the chip)
  2. Requirement to sell poorly rated services (ex., the vendor’s pet health insurance)
  3. Solicitation of other services (ex., pet health insurance) without an opt-out
  4. Selling of the registration database to 3rd parties without an opt-out
  5. Low post-adoption registration rates by the adopter
  6. Yearly microchip “maintenance” fees and the solicitation of those fees
  7. Threats regarding not paying the fees (“your pet won’t be reunited with you if you don’t pay the fee”)

Interestingly, almost all of the issues are related to the microchip vendor’s profit making strategies.  We believe that making a profit is not in-and-of-itself bad, however the issue is how you make that profit, and how you return the favor to the community.

Not surprisingly, almost all respondents to our most recent survey are looking for an alternative to their current microchip vendor and software.

The Solution

We believe that RescueGroups.org is capable of providing alternatives for the animal rescue and shelter community.

RescueGroups.org is interested in partnering with microchip vendors and suppliers, as well as microchip registries.  Our partnerships will be non-exclusive, and we will not receive any fees or commissions from these partnerships (we don't do financial sponsorships or "seal of approval" gimmicks).  We plan to integrate with multiple companies to provide the best options to the community.

The goal is to provide a community-focused solution to microchip management; specifically, a solution to microchip registration that helps you work more effectively.

However, we’re not looking to partner with just anyone.  They will need to meet some significant requirements, including:

  1. Pre-register all chips to the rescue/shelter from the factory
  2. No maintenance or registration fees beyond the initial cost of the microchip paid by the rescue/shelter
  3. Provide an opt-out for any solicitation
  4. Provide an opt-out if they sell the chip registration database
  5. Promote the ISO standard chip – preferably sell the ISO chip exclusively

We believe that the partnerships we build using these standards will be aligned with Our Strategy.  They will be focused on the rescue/shelter, they will be professional and ethical, and they will help the community to work more effectively.

If you’d like more information about partnering with us, or if you have any questions about the microchip vendor requirements or Our Strategy, please contact us.

We'd love to hear from you! Contact us via Support, or post a reply below!

We’re serious about giving you control of your data exports

Written November 10, 2012 by
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Tired of suddenly finding your organization's animals and information on a website you would rather not be associated with?

We find it very upsetting that some companies believe that they own your organization data and can do anything they want with it, with no regard to what you believe is best for your organization and pets.

We've already talked about how classifieds websites are often used to make money for everyone other than your organization and pets.

But the issue isn't really about one specific type of service or website -- it's about giving your organization control over where their pets and information show up.

That is why we go to great lengths to not only tell you where your information is going, but also give you as much control of those exports as possible.

And now we've increased your control to an even higher level.

You now have control over which websites and services receive your information from the very beginning.  You can now opt-out by website/service category before the new service starts to receive any data from RescueGroups.org.

For example, you might decide that you do not want your organization to appear on any websites or services that have classifieds.  If you make that selection in your RescueGroups.org account, if a new service that includes classifieds starts receiving data from us, your organization will be automatically excluded.

You can still opt-in or opt-out of exports individually at any time.

For more information about this new capability, please see your Animals > Exports > Settings page on the Manage website, and read the following User Guide article (the option is at the bottom of the page):

http://support.rescuegroups.org:8091/x/RoEO

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact RescueGroups.org support.

Thank you.

RescueGroups.org

Web Hosting Now Provided by RescueGroups.org

Written September 12, 2012 by
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RescueGroups.org is excited to announce that we are now offering several web hosting packages.

These new hosting options are completely different than our existing Website service.  Our current Website service provides a pre-build website that only requires your information and customization.  Our new hosting option allows our Partners to bring their own website, or build a website from “scratch” with the included Website Builder.

Our new hosting is available in three tiers, each including unlimited email accounts, FTP accounts, applications (like WordPress, Joomla and Drupal), and a website builder.  A RescueGroups.org URL is provided for free, and you can setup new domains or existing ones also.

What other hosting companies can’t provide is the RescueGroups.org support, and integration assistance.

Many rescues and shelters want to have their own custom website, and also want to use the RescueGroups.org iFrame, Toolkit and API services.  Now, our Partners have the option of hosting their custom website with us (or building a website), and also taking advantage of our support and integration help that has been designed specifically for rescues and shelters in mind.

For additional information about the web hosting plans, please visit the following web page:

https://www.rescuegroups.org/services/web-hosting/

Our existing Partners can add one of the Web Hosting plans by going to Services > Account Administration > Your Services from your Manage account.

New rescues and shelters can sign-up for an account from our website:

https://www.rescuegroups.org/sign-up

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us!

Important Change to Petfinder and Sync App Exports

Written July 23, 2012 by
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RescueGroups.org is very concerned with your privacy and protecting your information and data.

We recently learned that animals with a status of Hold and Pending are accessible to the public on the Petfinder website.  It is our understanding that organizations intend to keep their Hold and Pending animals secure and private, and not accessible to the public.

Although the Hold and Pending pet lists are not publicly advertised on the Petfinder website, they are easily accessible by changing the pet list URL to point to the Pending or Hold status.

RescueGroups.org was uploading animals from our database to Petfinder with Hold and Pending statuses (i.e., a pet with a status of Hold on RescueGroups.org would be listed as Hold on Petfinder also), assuming they remained completely confidential.

Since this is not the case, we have removed animals with a status of Hold or Pending from our exports.  We expect to see those pets be deleted from the Petfinder website over the next day or so.  If you are using the Sync App, the pets should be removed from your "admin" pet list the next time the Sync App runs for your account.

We apologize for the inconvenience.  Please contact support if you have any questions or concerns.

RescueGroups.org

Help us by writing a testimonial!

Written July 6, 2012 by
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Are you a current user of RescueGroups.org?  Do you want to help spread the word about our services?

Would you take a few minutes to write a personal testimonial for one of our services? Even if you just say a few words, we'd appreciate hearing from you.

Please login to your Management website and go to Services > My Settings > Testimonials.

https://manage.rescuegroups.org

Thank you so much for your time and support!

New Online Forms iFrame Service

Written March 3, 2012 by
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We have released a new service to help you with your online forms (like adoption and foster applications).  If you have the RescueGroups.org website service you don't need this service.

The Online Forms iFrame service helps you put your forms/applications on your non-RescueGroups.org website.  It lets you keep your current website, but still integrate with the RescueGroups.org platform for animal, contact and data management.

If you already have a RescueGroups.org account you can add the Online Forms iFrame service by going to the Services menu and clicking the Sign Up link.

If you don't have a RescueGroups.org account, you can get one by signing-up from the RescueGroups.org website.

The Online Forms iFrame service includes a free 3-month trial, so sign-up today!

Partnerships and the Animal Network — coming soon!

Written February 19, 2012 by
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Dear Rescue and Shelter Community:

We're excited to announce two new features to your RescueGroups.org management services.  These features will be available starting this coming week.

First, we're adding the ability to create Partnerships with other organizations.  Partnerships will be a primary means of communication between RescueGroups.org organizations.

An organization can request a partnership with another RescueGroups.org organization.  The partnership goes through an approval process before becoming active -- the partnership request can be accepted or declined.

To learn more about Partnerships, please see the following User Guide article:

http://support.rescuegroups.org:8091/x/CQA0

The second feature is the Animal Network.  This new feature helps you see animals that are in the care of other organizations and are available for transfer out to other rescues or shelters.  The intended use for this feature is to help find a safe place for at-risk animals.

The Animal Network uses the Partnerships feature... you must have an active partnership before you can see another organization's animals.  Once you do, you'll be able to see all of the active animals that they have "shared."  We have added a new animal field called "Share" so you can select which animals are available to transfer out to one of your partners.

To learn about the Animal Network, please see this section of the User Guide:

http://support.rescuegroups.org:8091/x/DgA0

The Partnerships and Animal Network features help lay the groundwork for additional features and services we'll be releasing in the future.

We hope these new features will give you additional tools to communicate and effectively work to help homeless pets.

Thank you,

RescueGroups.org