Quick Reference

Basic Animal Search Procedure

Updated: 1/2008d

The Animal Search function on the Welcome page is used to locate animals within your shelter or within an affiliated shelter and to conduct Lost and Found searches.

In most cases the animals ID number(the unique Shelter Buddy Internal Identification number) will be available. If this is the case simply enter the ID number in the Go to Animal ID field and click View. This will take you directly to the animal’s Edit Animal Details page.

If the ID number is not available then it will be necessary to search by description. When searching via a description, ensure that the criteria is as non-specific as possible and that you only use details that you know are accurate. This will help to avoid missing an animal record. Using the Type and the Status fields are the two parameters that are most commonly used. As in all multi field searches within the system, you do not need to populate every field. In fact, when searching for a lost, found or stray animal less is more.

Go to Animal ID: / If an animal already exists on the system and you have their Animal ID, enter it here and click View. This will take you directly to the Edit Animal Details page. The Animal ID is the Shelter Buddy Internal identificationnumber. The number is automatically generated when an animal file is created and never duplicated.
Partial Search: / A check mark will default. Remove the check mark if the information entered is exact.
Shelter Tag / Band Number: / This refers to an ID tag assigned to the animal while they are in your facility. Enter the animal’s shelter tag number, if applicable.
Old Database Record Number: / If this record was transferred from an old shelter system, enter the number here.
Microchip Number: / Enter the animal’s microchip number, if applicable.
Permanent Identification Tag: / This refers to an ID tag that has been given or sold to the owner of the animal by your facility that the animal wears at all times, similar to a license or name tag. It is simply another form of identification to be worn on the animal’s collar. Enter the PI Tag number, if applicable.
Name: / Enter the animal’s given name, if applicable.
Type: / Click on the down arrow to select the type of animal you are searching for.
Breed/Species: / The Breed/Specieslist is driven by what animal Type is selected. Type in the first one to four letters of the animal’s primary breed then click Find Breed/Species or press TAB. If the animal is a mixed breed, select the breed the animal primarily looks like. A pop up menu will display with a list of entries starting from or containing the letters you entered in the order typed or a breed/species will automatically default. If this is the incorrect breed/species, only type in the first letter of the desired breed to start the pop up menu.
Status: / Click on the down arrow to select an animal Status.
Date In / Found: / When searching for a lost animal that may have been brought into your shelter as a stray or a member of the public has found the animal and reported it to your facility, click on the Calendar Icon to select the date the animal went missing. This field can also be used if you know the date or an approximate date when an animal was brought into your shelter as a stray, for example.
Date Out / Lost: / When searching to see if a found animal has been reported lost to your facility or to list animals that left your shelter on a specific date, click the Calendar Icon to select the date. For found animals use a date at least two weeks prior to the date the animal was actually found.
Physical Location: / If this does not default or the default is incorrect, click the down arrow to select the location the animal is physically located in. Make sure to double check this field when performing a Lost search. EX: The physical location is the city the shelter is in or the name of the shelter.
Shelter Location: / Click the down arrow to select the specific location within the shelter that you would like to search. EX: Canine Strays
SEARCH / Click Search.