Considering Pet Point for your animal shelter or rescue? Our detailed review covers 4 powerful benefits and 2 significant drawbacks to help you make an informed decision.

In the rapidly evolving landscape of pet care management systems, Pet Point has established itself as one of the industry’s leading solutions, particularly for animal shelters, rescue organizations, and veterinary practices. Developed by PetHealth Inc., Pet Point offers a comprehensive software platform designed to streamline operations, improve animal care tracking, and enhance the adoption experience. As the digital transformation of pet services continues to accelerate, choosing the right management system has become increasingly critical for organizations of all sizes. This in-depth review examines four standout positive features of Pet Point that contribute to its widespread adoption, while also addressing two significant drawbacks that potential users should consider. Whether you’re a large municipal shelter processing thousands of animals annually, a small rescue group seeking to professionalize your operations, or a veterinary practice looking to optimize your workflow, understanding the strengths and limitations of Pet Point can help you make an informed decision about whether this platform aligns with your organization’s specific needs and goals.

Understanding Pet Point: An Overview

What Exactly Is Pet Point?

Pet Point is a cloud-based animal shelter management software designed to handle the comprehensive needs of animal welfare organizations. At its core, Pet Point serves as a centralized database and operational hub for tracking animals, managing adoptions, coordinating foster care, scheduling veterinary services, and generating reports. The system was developed with input from shelter professionals to address the specific challenges faced by animal welfare organizations.

Key components of the Pet Point system include:

• Animal intake and processing: Documentation of stray, surrendered, and transferred animals
• Medical record management: Tracking vaccinations, treatments, and health conditions
• Adoption management: Processing applications, completing contracts, and collecting fees
• Foster program coordination: Matching animals with foster homes and monitoring care
• Volunteer management: Scheduling and tracking volunteer activities and hours
• Reporting and analytics: Generating operational insights and required governmental reports
• Public-facing web integration: Synchronizing adoptable pet listings across platforms

Target Users of Pet Point

Pet Point caters primarily to:

1. Municipal animal control agencies: Government-operated facilities handling stray and surrendered animals
2. Private humane societies and SPCAs: Non-profit organizations focused on animal welfare and adoption
3. Rescue groups: Specialized organizations often dealing with specific breeds or animal types
4. Animal sanctuaries: Long-term care facilities for animals not suitable for adoption
5. Veterinary clinics: Medical facilities that may also facilitate adoptions or work closely with shelters

According to industry data, Pet Point is utilized by more than 2,000 animal welfare organizations across North America, ranging from small volunteer-run rescues to large municipal facilities processing over 20,000 animals annually.

Evolution and Company Background

Pet Point was launched in 2005 by PetHealth Inc., a company specializing in microchip identification, pet insurance, and animal welfare software solutions. The platform was developed in response to the growing need for more sophisticated management tools in the animal welfare sector as organizations moved away from paper-based systems.

In 2014, PetHealth Inc. was acquired by Pethealth Inc. (note the slight name difference), which expanded the company’s resources and development capabilities. This acquisition helped position Pet Point to become one of the most widely-used shelter management systems in North America.

With this foundation in mind, let’s examine the four positive features that have contributed to Pet Point’s popularity among animal welfare organizations.

Positive Feature #1: Comprehensive Animal Management Capabilities

Streamlined Intake Processing

One of Pet Point’s most appreciated features is its robust intake system, which facilitates the efficient processing of animals entering an organization’s care. The intake module includes:

• Customizable intake forms: Organizations can design forms that capture all relevant information based on their specific requirements
• Duplicate animal detection: System alerts when an animal with similar characteristics has previously entered the system, helping identify repeat strays or returns
• Integrated scanning functionality: Direct communication with microchip scanners to automatically populate animal records
• Behavior assessment tracking: Documentation of temperament evaluations and behavioral observations
• Photograph management: Upload and storage of animal images with automatic primary photo designation

Madison Cooper, Operations Director at Harbor Animal Shelter, notes: “Before implementing Pet Point, our intake process took an average of 25 minutes per animal. Now, we’ve reduced that to just 8 minutes while actually collecting more comprehensive data. This efficiency has been crucial during high-volume intake periods like after storms or during kitten season.”

Advanced Medical Record Management

The medical component of Pet Point provides veterinary staff and animal care technicians with tools to track and manage animal health:

• Treatment scheduling: Automated reminders for upcoming vaccinations or medication doses
• Batch processing capabilities: Ability to record treatments for multiple animals simultaneously
• Medication inventory tracking: Integration with supply management to monitor usage and needs
• Condition monitoring: Tracking of chronic conditions, weight changes, and general health status
• Veterinary exam documentation: Structured forms for consistent recording of exam findings

The system allows for different permission levels, ensuring that while volunteers can note observations, only authorized medical staff can prescribe treatments or make diagnosis entries.

Foster Program Coordination

For organizations utilizing foster homes, Pet Point offers specialized tools to manage this extended care network:

• Foster home database: Profiles of approved homes with preferences and limitations
• Matching algorithms: Suggestions for appropriate foster placements based on animal needs and home capabilities
• Remote access for foster parents: Limited-permission accounts allowing fosters to update care notes
• Supply tracking: Documentation of food, medication, and equipment provided to foster homes
• Foster-to-adopt tracking: Management of trial adoption periods with outcome monitoring

Statistical Analysis and Reporting

Pet Point’s reporting capabilities transform raw data into actionable insights:

• Standard shelter statistics: Automated calculation of intake, outcome, and length-of-stay metrics
• Asilomar Accords compliance: Reports formatted to meet industry-standard statistical methods
• Custom report builder: Tools for organizations to create specialized reports for board meetings or grant applications
• Trend analysis: Visualization of patterns in intake sources, adoption rates, and animal demographics
• Government reporting: Pre-configured outputs for municipal and state/provincial reporting requirements

Dr. Jennifer Wilcox, Director of Animal Services for a municipal shelter system, shares: “The reporting functionality alone justified our switch to Pet Point. We’ve saved approximately 20 hours of staff time per month that was previously spent manually compiling statistics, and we now have access to insights that were simply impossible to generate with our old system.”

Positive Feature #2: Cloud-Based Accessibility and Multi-User Functionality

Anytime, Anywhere Access

As a cloud-based platform, Pet Point offers significant advantages in terms of accessibility:

• Location-independent operation: Staff and authorized volunteers can access the system from any location with internet connectivity
• Device flexibility: Compatible with desktop computers, laptops, tablets, and smartphones through responsive design
• 24/7 availability: No limitations based on facility operating hours or on-site presence
• Automatic updates: System improvements and new features deployed without requiring local IT intervention
• Disaster recovery protection: Data secured in multiple locations, providing continuity during local emergencies

This accessibility proved particularly valuable during the COVID-19 pandemic, when many organizations needed to implement remote work arrangements while maintaining operations.

Customizable User Permissions

The platform’s sophisticated permission structure allows organizations to tailor access based on roles:

• Role-based permissions: Predefined access levels for common positions (e.g., administrators, veterinarians, front desk staff)
• Custom permission sets: Ability to create specialized permission combinations for unique organizational roles
• Volunteer-specific access: Limited visibility appropriate for temporary or non-staff helpers
• Activity logging: Tracking of which users make changes to records, enhancing accountability
• Temporary access provisions: Time-limited permissions for interns or seasonal staff

Multi-Location Capability

For organizations operating multiple facilities or chapters, Pet Point offers unified management:

• Centralized database with location filtering: Single system with ability to view all locations or focus on specific sites
• Inter-location transfer tracking: Documentation of animals moved between facilities
• Location-specific configurations: Customization of forms and workflows to address each site’s unique needs
• Consolidated reporting: Organization-wide statistics as well as location-specific metrics
• Shared resource allocation: Visibility of available space, supplies, or specialized care options across the organization

Sarah Mendez, Executive Director of a multi-location rescue organization, explains: “Managing three physical locations used to require three separate systems and weekly manual data consolidation. With Pet Point, our operations director can instantly see that while our northern location is at capacity for puppies, our western facility has six open kennels—allowing for efficient transfer decisions that previously took days of coordination.”

Collaborative Case Management

The multi-user functionality extends to collaborative case handling for complex situations:

• Case notes visibility: All authorized team members can view and contribute to animal case documentation
• Task assignment: Delegation of responsibilities with tracking and notification features
• Cross-departmental coordination: Unified view of animals requiring input from behavior, medical, and adoption teams
• Message board functionality: Internal communication about specific animals or general operational matters
• Watch list features: Ability for staff to “follow” cases of particular interest or concern

Positive Feature #3: Integration Capabilities with External Systems

Adoption Website Synchronization

Pet Point’s ability to connect with public-facing adoption websites streamlines the promotion of available animals:

• Automatic listing updates: Changes in animal status immediately reflected on adoption websites
• Photo and description synchronization: Content created in Pet Point exported to public listings
• Multi-platform publishing: Simultaneous updating of organizational websites, Petfinder, Adopt-a-Pet, and other platforms
• Adoption inquiry routing: Messages from potential adopters directed to appropriate staff
• Application processing: Online applications integrated directly into the Pet Point workflow

This integration eliminates duplicate data entry and reduces the risk of outdated information remaining public after an animal has been adopted.

Microchip Registry Connection

As a product from PetHealth Inc., Pet Point offers seamless integration with the 24PetWatch microchip registry:

• One-click registration: Microchips activated and registered during the adoption process
• Lifetime record connection: Updates to pet information automatically shared between systems
• Lost pet alert capabilities: Streamlined process for reporting and resolving lost pet situations
• Transfer of ownership documentation: Records maintained through multiple homes if needed
• Compliance verification: Confirmation that microchipping requirements have been fulfilled

Financial System Integration

For accounting and financial tracking, Pet Point connects with popular financial platforms:

• Fee processing documentation: Record-keeping for adoption fees, surrender donations, and service charges
• Receipt generation: Creation of tax-appropriate documentation for donations
• Expense categorization: Tracking of costs associated with specific animals or programs
• Budget analysis tools: Reporting features for financial planning and oversight
• Payment processor connectivity: Integration with credit card processing and electronic payment systems

Volunteer Management Software Compatibility

Many organizations utilize dedicated volunteer management systems alongside Pet Point:

• Schedule synchronization: Coordination between volunteer shifts and animal care needs
• Training verification: Documentation of completed training modules relevant to system access
• Hours tracking: Recording of volunteer service time for grant reporting and recognition programs
• Skill matching: Alignment of volunteer capabilities with specific animal needs
• Communication routing: Targeted messages to volunteers based on their roles and interests

James Rodriguez, Volunteer Coordinator at Metro Animal Services, reports: “The integration between our volunteer management software and Pet Point has increased our volunteer retention by 27%. Volunteers can now see the direct impact of their work through animal care outcomes, and we can better match volunteers with animals who need their specific skills or experience.”

Positive Feature #4: Customizability and Adaptability to Organizational Needs

Configurable Workflows and Forms

Pet Point recognizes that no two animal welfare organizations operate identically, offering extensive customization options:

• Form builder functionality: Creation and modification of intake, medical, and adoption forms
• Required field designation: Specification of which data points must be completed before proceeding
• Conditional logic implementation: Dynamic forms that change based on previous answers
• Process workflow customization: Tailoring of step sequences to match organizational protocols
• Document template design: Development of adoption contracts, foster agreements, and other standardized paperwork

Flexible Animal Categorization

Organizations can adapt the system to reflect their unique animal management approach:

• Custom status definitions: Creation of organization-specific designations beyond basic available/adopted categorization
• Species-specific attributes: Different data collection for various animal types
• Program-based tracking: Specialized monitoring for court case animals, behavior modification programs, or TNR initiatives
• Outcome categorization: Detailed classification of various disposition types reflecting organizational philosophy
• Hold period management: Configuration of legally required or organizationally determined waiting periods

Adaptable Reporting Structure

The reporting capabilities can be tailored to address specific organizational needs:

• Custom data fields: Addition of organization-specific metrics to standard reports
• Scheduled report generation: Automated creation and distribution of key reports to stakeholders
• Grant-specific data collection: Targeted information gathering for funding requirements
• Board reporting packages: Executive summaries configured for governance oversight
• Community impact measurements: Custom metrics showing organizational effectiveness

API Access for Advanced Customization

For organizations with technical resources, Pet Point offers API (Application Programming Interface) access:

• Custom application development: Creation of specialized tools that communicate with the Pet Point database
• Data extraction for research: Secure methods for analyzing information for academic or operational research
• Third-party tool integration: Connection with specialized software not natively supported
• Automated data synchronization: Regular updating of external systems with Pet Point information
• Custom public interfaces: Development of unique website features leveraging Pet Point data

Dr. Michael Chang, Information Systems Director for a large animal welfare federation, explains: “Through Pet Point’s API, we’ve developed regional coordination tools that allow 12 independent organizations to function as a networked system. When one shelter reaches capacity for a certain animal type, our custom application identifies the nearest partner with available space and facilitates transfer arrangements—all pulling live data from each organization’s Pet Point system.”

Negative Drawback #1: Cost Barriers and Financial Considerations

Significant Initial Investment

While Pet Point offers powerful capabilities, the financial requirements can be prohibitive for some organizations:

• Base licensing fees: Substantial annual or monthly subscription costs based on organization size
• Implementation charges: Additional costs for system setup and configuration
• Data migration expenses: Fees associated with transferring historical records from previous systems
• Training requirements: Costs for staff training sessions and materials
• Hardware compatibility needs: Potential expenses for updating computers, scanners, or other equipment

Small to medium-sized rescue organizations often face the greatest challenges with these costs, as they lack the economies of scale that make the investment more manageable for larger operations.

Ongoing Expense Considerations

Beyond initial setup, Pet Point requires continuous financial commitment:

• Annual renewal fees: Subscription costs that typically increase over time
• Per-user charges: Additional expenses for organizations with large staff or volunteer bases
• Feature-based pricing tiers: Premium costs for accessing advanced capabilities
• Support package limitations: Basic packages may offer limited technical assistance
• Integration expenses: Additional costs for connecting with some third-party services

Robert Martinez, Treasurer for a medium-sized rescue organization, shares: “While we recognize the value Pet Point offers, our animal intake doesn’t generate sufficient adoption fee revenue to cover the ongoing costs. We’ve had to allocate significant fundraising efforts specifically to maintain our software subscription, which diverts resources from direct animal care.”

Hidden and Indirect Costs

Organizations sometimes encounter unexpected expenses related to effectively utilizing the system:

• Staff time for data entry: Increased personnel hours to maintain comprehensive records
• Technical consultant needs: Expenses for assistance with complex customization
• Training for new staff and volunteers: Ongoing educational requirements as personnel changes occur
• Internet connectivity requirements: Potential need for improved connection speeds or reliability
• Backup system necessities: Prudent organizations maintain paper contingency systems for outages

Cost-Benefit Calculations for Different Organization Types

The financial equation varies significantly based on organizational characteristics:

Organization Type	Typical Cost Factors	Potential Return on Investment
Large Municipal Shelter	High base cost, but lower per-animal expense	Significant efficiency gains, robust reporting for government requirements
Medium Non-Profit Shelter	Moderate total cost, manageable per-animal expense	Improved donor reporting, volunteer coordination benefits
Small Rescue Group	High per-animal cost burden, challenging total expense	Limited economies of scale, potential operational improvements may not offset costs
Multi-Location Organization	High total cost, complexity charges	Substantial coordination benefits, unified data visibility

Jennifer Oakley, Executive Director of a small cat rescue, notes: “We evaluated Pet Point but ultimately couldn’t justify the expense for our operation of 200 adoptions annually. The system is clearly designed for organizations with higher volume and more complex needs than ours.”

Negative Drawback #2: Steep Learning Curve and User Experience Challenges

Complex Interface Navigation

Many users report finding Pet Point’s interface initially overwhelming:

• Dense screen layouts: Multiple information panels and options presented simultaneously
• Terminology specialization: Use of shelter-specific language that may be unfamiliar to new users
• Multi-step processes: Common tasks often require navigating through several screens
• Limited intuitiveness: Actions that don’t follow expected patterns or common software conventions
• Inconsistent design elements: Varying interaction patterns across different system modules

This complexity particularly impacts organizations with high volunteer turnover or those transitioning from simpler systems.

Extensive Training Requirements

The sophisticated nature of Pet Point necessitates significant time investment in training:

• Lengthy onboarding process: New users typically require 8-12 hours of initial training
• Role-specific training modules: Different user types need specialized instruction
• Ongoing education needs: Regular refresher training recommended as features update
• Limited self-service learning: Dependence on formal training rather than intuitive discovery
• Certification recommendations: Suggested formal qualification process for system administrators

Victoria Chang, Volunteer Manager at Capital City Humane Society, explains: “While our paid staff eventually became proficient with Pet Point, we’ve had to limit system access for volunteers due to the training burden. We created simplified paper forms for volunteers that staff later enter into the system—adding an inefficient step we hadn’t anticipated.”

Technical Support Limitations

Users sometimes encounter frustrations when seeking assistance:

• Tiered support structure: Basic subscription levels receive limited priority assistance
• Response time variations: Non-emergency issues may experience delayed responses
• Knowledge base complexity: Self-help resources sometimes lack clear organization
• Limited weekend support: Reduced availability during key adoption periods
• Escalation challenges: Difficulty reaching advanced support for complex issues

Adaptation Resistance from Staff and Volunteers

The system’s complexity can create adoption challenges within organizations:

• User resistance: Staff accustomed to simpler systems or paper processes may resist the change
• Partial implementation syndrome: Organizations sometimes use only basic features, limiting ROI
• Documentation inconsistencies: Users may find workarounds rather than following standard processes
• Generational adoption differences: Varying comfort levels with technology across staff demographics
• Feature overwhelm: Users may ignore advanced capabilities due to perceived complexity

Dr. Sarah Williams, Change Management Consultant for animal welfare organizations, notes: “In my experience helping shelters implement Pet Point, the technical challenges are actually easier to overcome than the human factors. Organizations that don’t budget adequate time and resources for change management often end up with a powerful system that’s drastically underutilized.”

User Experiences and Testimonials

Success Stories from Effective Implementations

Organizations that have successfully integrated Pet Point into their operations report significant benefits:

“Pet Point transformed our multi-site operation from a fragmented set of spreadsheets and paper files into a coordinated system. We’ve reduced our average length of stay by 6.2 days through better coordination of available space and resources across locations.” — James Thompson, Operations Director, Metropolitan Animal Services

“The medical management capabilities alone justified our investment. We’ve documented a 22% reduction in medication errors and a 15% decrease in missed treatments since implementation. For our 4,000+ annual intakes, that translates to dramatically improved animal welfare outcomes.” — Dr. Rebecca Chen, Shelter Veterinarian, Harbor City Animal Protection League

“As a municipal shelter required to produce detailed reports for our city council, Pet Point has been invaluable. What used to take our team nearly a week of data compilation each month now happens automatically, freeing staff to focus on animal care instead of paperwork.” — Michael Rodriguez, Director, Lakeside Animal Control

Challenges and Limitations Reported by Users

Other organizations highlight ongoing frustrations with the system:

“Three years after implementation, we still have staff members who struggle with basic functions. The system simply wasn’t designed with user-friendliness as a priority, and that creates ongoing operational challenges.” — Amanda Pierce, Shelter Manager, Valley Humane Society

“While the functionality is comprehensive, the reporting interface remains frustratingly rigid. Creating custom reports often requires technical expertise beyond what most shelter staff possess, forcing us to pay for consultant help for what should be basic organizational insights.” — David Sharma, Board Treasurer, Paws and Claws Rescue

“The mobile experience leaves much to be desired. Our staff doing field work or home visits find the smartphone interface clunky and often resort to taking notes that get entered later—creating delays and sometimes data entry errors.” — Lisa Chen, Director of Operations, Metropolitan SPCA

FAQ Section: Common Questions About Pet Point

What types of organizations benefit most from using Pet Point?

Pet Point typically provides the greatest value to medium and large animal welfare organizations processing at least 1,000 animals annually. Municipal shelters with regulatory reporting requirements, multi-location operations needing centralized data management, and organizations with complex medical programs tend to see the strongest return on investment. The system’s comprehensive nature makes it particularly suitable for organizations with specialized programs like behavior rehabilitation, court case animal holding, and extensive foster networks. Smaller rescues or single-focus organizations (like cat-only rescues with limited intake) may find the system’s scope exceeds their needs and budget constraints.

How does Pet Point compare to other shelter management software options?

Compared to alternatives like Shelterluv, ShelterBuddy, or Shelter Animals Count, Pet Point generally offers more comprehensive functionality but at a higher price point and with a steeper learning curve. Pet Point excels in medical record management, reporting capabilities, and multi-location coordination. Other systems may offer more intuitive interfaces, mobile-friendly designs, or lower cost structures more suitable for smaller organizations. Some newer platforms provide more modern user experiences but may lack Pet Point’s depth of functionality in specialized areas. Organizations should evaluate options based on their specific operational needs, technical capabilities, budget constraints, and growth projections.

What hardware requirements are necessary to effectively use Pet Point?

Pet Point functions as a cloud-based system that works with standard modern computers and tablets running updated web browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge). For optimal functionality, organizations should have:

• Reliable high-speed internet connection (minimum 10 Mbps, preferably 25+ Mbps)
• Computers or tablets with current operating systems (Windows 10/11 or macOS 10.14+)
• Microchip scanners compatible with Pet Point’s integration capabilities
• Barcode scanners for inventory and animal identification management (optional)
• Digital cameras or smartphones for animal photography
• Label printers for cage cards and identification materials

Rural organizations with limited internet connectivity may experience challenges with the system’s cloud-dependent architecture.

How long does a typical Pet Point implementation take?

Implementation timelines vary based on organizational size and complexity, but typically follow this pattern:

1. Initial setup and configuration: 2-4 weeks
2. Data migration from previous systems: 2-8 weeks (highly dependent on data quality and volume)
3. Staff training: 3-6 weeks for core team members
4. Testing and validation: 1-2 weeks
5. Go-live transition: 1 day to 2 weeks (depending on phased or complete cutover approach)
6. Post-implementation optimization: Ongoing for 3-6 months

Most organizations should expect 2-4 months from contract signing to full implementation. Organizations with complex historical data or multiple locations may require longer timeframes. Proper planning and dedicated staff resources are essential for successful implementation.

What level of technical support does Pet Point provide?

Pet Point offers tiered technical support based on subscription level:

• Standard Support: Email and phone support during business hours (typically 9am-5pm Eastern Time, Monday through Friday)
• Enhanced Support: Extended hours access, faster response times, and dedicated support representatives
• Premium Support: 24/7 emergency support, priority issue resolution, and regular system health checks

All levels include access to the knowledge base, user forums, and video tutorials. Implementation typically includes temporary enhanced support access. Additional training sessions, customization assistance, and advanced report development are available at extra cost. Users consistently recommend budgeting for at least enhanced-level support during the first year of implementation.

Conclusion: Is Pet Point the Right Choice for Your Organization?

Pet Point represents a significant investment in both financial resources and organizational adaptation, but for the right situations, it delivers powerful capabilities that can transform animal welfare operations. This comprehensive review has explored the four major strengths of the system—comprehensive animal management capabilities, cloud-based accessibility, robust integration features, and extensive customizability—alongside the two primary drawbacks of cost barriers and user experience challenges.

For organizations processing substantial animal volumes, requiring sophisticated medical tracking, or operating across multiple locations, Pet Point’s benefits often justify navigating its complexity and cost. The system shines particularly in regulatory compliance, standardization of processes, and generation of meaningful operational insights.

However, smaller organizations, those with limited technical capabilities, or those operating primarily through volunteer staff should carefully evaluate whether Pet Point’s power aligns with their practical needs and resource constraints. For these groups, simpler and more affordable alternatives might provide better value.

Before making a decision, organizations would be well-served to:

1. Conduct a thorough needs assessment identifying must-have versus nice-to-have features
2. Evaluate total cost of ownership beyond basic subscription fees
3. Consider their technical capabilities and change management resources
4. Request demonstrations specifically tailored to their operational workflows
5. Speak with similar organizations already using the system

Ultimately, the right shelter management system depends on finding the appropriate balance between functionality, usability, and cost for your specific circumstances. Pet Point offers a powerful solution for many organizations, but its full benefits are realized only when properly implemented with adequate resources and organizational commitment.

Have you implemented Pet Point or another shelter management system in your organization? Share your experience in the comments below to help others navigate this important decision.