Features:


At this time, aside from input and edit routines, the Pet Registry has two main run-types for public use: Search For and Identify Lost Pets, and Display Found Pets. The database can be queried by Pet Registry Operations for various other purposes: for example, discovering patterns in the locations of missing (possibly stolen) pets.

The program has an extensive list of search categories for each kind of animal: dog, cat, bird, horse, and other.

It outputs matching pets in rank order (best match first) for matched search categories (various kinds of data, including owner information, home location, and matched categories, are indicated on output report screens).

Locations are given by mail zip code, or map numbers (latitude and longitude), or both. These are used to determine the distance range for a search, and to report how far (if map numbers are used) it is between the pet's home and where the pet was found. [Google Maps is integrated into the Pet Registry, and is used to determine map numbers. The Pet Registry "remembers" the last map you viewed, and displays that map the next time you call for the map.]

Data input is quick and easy. A photograph can (and should) be included. The Pet Registry displays pictures in standard (height: 150 or 240 pixels) and enlarged (height: 580 pixels) sizes. The common picture file formats (.jpeg, .jpg, .png, .bmp, and .gif) are acceptable.

Complete data editing (and deleting) is accommodated.

Pets can be registered into the Pet Registry at any time, and kept on file.

There are "pop-up" guides and "pop-up" data error indicators. Data errors, if they occur, are "boxed" in red on the data entry forms.

When a pet is indicated as found by a finder, or when someone wants to make an inquiry about a pet registered as found (perhaps to adopt the pet, if the owner is not found), the Pet Registry program sends an automatic e-mail (including contact information for the finder or person making an inquiry) to the owner (if known) and to Pet Registry Operations. The owner (or Pet Registry Operations) can then get back to the person. This method of finder to owner contact is to protect the owner's privacy (and to guard against "finders" with ill intent).

The Pet Registry accommodates information about a pet's regular veterinarian, emergency medical needs, and information for police, firefighters, and other emergency responders. Such information is useful in case of disaster, or if police or firefighters need to enter the owner's property.




Run Through (for trying out the program):


Click on Forms.

Then select the "Run Type" you want. First pick the "Mode" then the "Kind of Animal". For testing the program, start with "Register My Pet". When the form is presented, just fill it out appropriately, put in a photo, if one is accessible on your computer (or other device), and click on the "Submit Form" button.

When prompted to exit or to "Go To Edit", click on "Go To Edit". When the "Edit" form comes up, scroll down the form. Make any changes you want. Then click either the "Submit Form" button, or use the "Submit" tab, which, for convenience, is always accessible, at screen right, in the "Edit" mode. [Note: When a picture is submitted over an old picture, the server takes time (sometimes hours) to effect the change.]

Re-enter the Pet Registry, and experiment with the other modes. The system contains sample data (with locations centered on zip code 70124), so there will always be data to display when you use that zip code. You only need to enter a minimal amount of information. In the "Search" and "Display" modes, all that is required to select the "unlimited" range, then submit the form. In those two modes, be sure to try the enlarge picture option. Just click (or tap) on the picture to enlarge or restore. You can do the same thing by holding the Alt key down and pressing the down (enlarge) or up (restore) arrows on the keyboard. You can use the left and right arrows to scan through the reports.

When you are finished, and if you were using fictitious data, go to "Edit", enter your ID information, then click on the "Delete" button.


You can leave this window open to reference these instructions. Or, close the window by clicking on the button below.

If you leave this window open, get back to the Pet Registry by clicking on its tab at the top of the browser (above).
Come back here by clicking on the "Features" tab.




Note About Uploading a Picture:


This process can take a lot of time, if the Internet connection is slow and/or the picture file size is large.

An especially large file can take many minutes (20 minutes or more in some cases) to upload. Much of this time can be saved by reducing the file size before using the Pet Registry to upload the picture.

To conserve memory storage, and to optimize speed for image transfer, the Pet Registry automatically changes image dimensions and reduces file size once a picture is uploaded. There is no need for high-resolution, large file sized pictures.

If a picture to be submitted to the Pet Registry has a file size of 5MB for example, it may be a more efficient use of time to reduce the file size before submitting it to the Pet Registry.



Reducing the Size of a Picture:


Reducing picture size, and also consequently file size, can be accomplished using the Microsoft Paint accessory that is standard on most personal computers. Just display the folder containing the picture, right-click on the picture and select "Open with", and then select "Paint". Once in the Paint program (under the "Home" tab), click on "Resize". Use the "Percentage" option to scale the picture until its height is about half that of the window. Or, more precisely, use the "Pixels" option and enter 240 for "Vertical". Then, to save the picture, click on the "File" tab (upper left of the screen), and select "Save as". The file name can be changed so as not to overwrite (destroy) the original picture. Although its not necessary, there is the option, in saving, to select the format of the saved picture. "JPEG" is best for uploading to the Pet Registry.

You may want to use the more technical, but excellent, FastStone Photo Resizer, a program that can be downloaded from: http://www.faststone.org/FSResizerDownload.htm. The basic system is free.