Public Eligibility
A pet can appear publicly when:
- The organization has a public profile.
- The pet's current status is eligible for adoption/public discovery.
- The pet has at least one uploaded image or video.
- The pet is marked Public.
If a private pet is missing a requirement, the visibility control explains what must be added or changed.
Change Visibility
Pet Editors, Volunteers, Privileged members, and Admins use the labeled Public or Private control in the profile toolbar. When a pet is public and eligible, the adjacent copy button copies its /search/... link.
A Private pet is also kept off the listing services: Petfinder leaves it out of the feed and Adopt-a-Pet receives it as Hidden at the next sync.
The QR button in the header creates a code for the same public route.
Public Page Layout
The public page contains:
- Pet identity, species, age, sex, breed, size, spay/neuter value, and location summary when available.
- The pet media gallery.
- An About panel with adoption fee, selected core facts, special needs, description, and answered custom fields configured for public display.
- Adoption, foster, or volunteer application actions enabled by the organization.
- Shelter identity, shelter-profile link, and public location map when enabled.
- Other available pets from the organization.
- A share action.
Public custom fields follow the configured pet form: every visible pet form field that is not marked Internal Only appears once it has an answer. New pet fields start as Internal Only; uncheck it on the fields you want visitors to see. Empty values are omitted.
Internal Only hides a field from the public only; staff still see and fill it in. To retire a pet field you no longer use, hide it everywhere by choosing Hide from its row's actions menu in Settings > Forms & Documents > Forms. See Forms.
Information That Stays Internal
Public pages do not expose internal notes, tasks, documents, formal medical records, microchip ID, veterinarian, intake history, custom ID, status notes, placements, or staff activity.
Pet form fields marked internal-only, including standard fields such as breed or color, are also left off public pet pages, widgets, and the pets shown on an adopter's application invitation link.
Surrender and finding details are always left off public pet pages, widgets, and the public API: the reason for surrender, where the pet was found, and finding notes. That includes pet form fields of your own with those names, such as a custom Location found question.
Do not place previous-owner details or other sensitive information in a public description or public custom field.
Keep Profiles Current
- Put the strongest image first.
- Use an accurate age, breed, size, health summary, and adoption fee.
- Write a clear description with personality, care needs, and an appropriate home.
- Explain bonded-placement requirements in the description.
- Recheck public eligibility after a status or media change.