NOTE: PetPress Version 2 was released in January 2025. Users using version 1.x can find information for Version 1 here.
Introducting PetPress Version 2
Why Version 2?
PetPress version 2 is a major rewrite of the plugin. This rewrite is necessary so that the plugin has a strong foundation for future enhancements.
Who is Version 2 for?
Version 2 is meant for all PetPress users, but over the three-year history of this plugin, it has become clear that there are two types of users who are interested in the plugin, and this new version is aimed at being the optimal solution for both. These are the small shelter that is looking for a “turn-key” (ready to go out-of-the-box) solution that can be implemented by someone on staff who has only a bare minimum of WordPress skills. The other group is the digital agency hired by shelters to create or manage a website, who may want to modify the look and feel to fit the overall aesthetic of the site.
What is new in Version 2?
Sample tile from version 2.
New Look
For the first time, the structure of the HTML used on the list and detail pages is changing. The basic HTML had not changed in three years, and I have been avoiding making any changes (even fixes) throughout version 1.0 so as to avoid breaking or disrupting any customizations that have been done in anyone’s implementations. However, there were a few small nesting issues (errors, really) in the HTML of version 1 that really needed correction, and this was as good a time as any.
Since the HTML is changing a little, now seemed to be the appropriate time to modernize the look and feel of the plugin. Based on feedback from several users, the look of the list and detail pages are changing somewhat. The new look is a bit more neutral and should blend with most themes fairly easily. For those who want to alter the CSS or even go so far as to change the layout, you will be happy to hear that every element has a class attribute and every data item has a data- attribute, so the new HTML will be as customization-ready as I can make it.
Support for PetFinder
For the first time, PetPress users can opt to use PetFinder as their data source (instead of PetPoint). Although it was my intent to have PetPress look and act the same regardless of the data source, the fact of the matter is that PetPoint and PetFinder contain different data fields, and so complete parity is impossible. For example, PetPoint may contain information on the number of days in shelter, but PetFinder does not. Conversely, vaccination status is a data point that PetFinder can provide that PetPoint does not. Wherever possible, I have endeavored to create the same experience for both PetPoint and PetFinder users.
Days in Shelter
Information on the number of days in shelter is now shown on the list page, and users can sort by it as well. If you do not want to show “days in” information on your site, you can remove this information using the appropriate checkbox on the admin page.
New Premium Reports
Going forward, I plan to add a number of new reports to PetPress. At launch, the first are “Found Animals”, “Featured Pets”, and a Volunteer Report that shows which animals in your shelter need photos, a write-up and/or video. These reports are part of the paid “premium” version of PetPress. At launch, these reports are still very version 1, but that is because just about everything done to date is a core feature that is in the free version. Formerly free features were not moved to the premium tier, so the premium section is something of a green field at launch. Over the course of the next few releases, though, there will be more premium features and the premium features that do exist will be enhanced.