PetPoint Integration Guide #
This guide covers everything specific to using PetMatchPro with PetPoint, including API setup, available features, and PetPoint-only capabilities.
API Setup #
PetPoint uses an XML-based API. You need a single API key to connect.
- Obtain your API key from your PetPoint account representative.
- In WordPress, go to PetMatchPro > General Options.
- Select PetPoint from the Integration Partner dropdown.
- Enter your API key.
- Click Apply Changes.
Available Method Types #
| Method | License | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Adopt | Basic | Adoptable animals |
| Lost | Junior | Lost animal reports |
| Found | Junior | Found animal reports |
| List | Junior | General animal listing (PetPoint only) |
| Featured | Junior | Featured animal display |
| Lost/Found Combo | Preferred | Combined lost and found search |
PetPoint-Specific Features #
List Method Type #
The List method type is exclusive to PetPoint. It displays a general list of animals that may not fall into the adopt, lost, or found categories. Requires Junior license.
[pmp-search type="list"]On-Hold Status #
Requires Junior license. PetPoint provides an on-hold status field that PetMatchPro can display. When an animal is placed on hold before adoption, the on-hold icon and status appear in search results and detail pages. Configure this in General Options under the On Hold Status setting (PetPoint only).
Lost/Found Combination Search #
Requires Preferred license. Combines lost and found animal searches into a single results page. Visitors see both lost and found animals together, making it easier to match lost pets with found reports.
XML API Notes #
PetPoint’s API returns data in XML format. PetMatchPro handles the XML parsing automatically – this is invisible to you as an admin. However, there are a couple of things to be aware of:
- Field name matching – PetPoint uses PascalCase field names (e.g., “AnimalName”). PetMatchPro converts these automatically.
- Error messages – PetMatchPro distinguishes between authentication, server, and parse failures so you can act on the right thing. See the next section.
Error Messages #
If a PetPoint search or detail page renders with a red error block instead of animals, the message tells you what to fix:
| Public message | What it means | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Connection Error: Unable to reach animal database: [network error] | The HTTP request to PetPoint never completed – DNS failure, firewall block, or PetPoint outage. | Try again in a few minutes. If it persists, check your hosting provider’s outbound HTTP rules. |
| Authentication Error: PetPoint rejected the request (HTTP 401). Verify your API key in general Settings. | PetPoint received the request but rejected your API key. Most common causes: typo on paste, expired key, or wrong key for the configured site. | Go to PetMatchPro > General Options and re-enter your API key. Click Apply Changes. |
| API Error: PetPoint returned HTTP [code]. The service may be temporarily unavailable. | PetPoint returned a non-401/403 server error (5xx, rate limit, etc.). | Wait and retry. If it persists for more than an hour, check the PetPoint status page or contact PetPoint support. |
| Parse Error: PetPoint returned a response that could not be parsed as XML ([libxml details]). This is usually a temporary API issue; if it persists, verify your API key in general Settings. | PetPoint returned a 200 OK but the body wasn’t valid XML. Genuinely rare – typically indicates a hiccup on PetPoint’s side. | Refresh the page once. If the error persists across multiple refreshes, treat it like an Authentication Error and re-verify the API key. |
With WP_DEBUG enabled, every error path also writes a structured entry to your debug log with the HTTP status code, the API method that was called, and the first 200 characters of PetPoint’s response body. See the Reading PMP Debug Logs article for how to find and interpret these entries.
Available Templates #
Search Templates #
adopt-search-default.php– Default grid (Basic)featured-search-default.php– Featured default (Junior)featured-search-carousel.php– Featured carousel (Junior)featured-search-compact.php– Featured compact (Junior)found-search-default.php– Found default (Junior)lost-search-default.php– Lost default (Junior)universal-search-default.php– Universal default (Basic)universal-search-structured.php– Universal structured (Junior)
Detail Templates #
adopt-default.php– Default (Basic)adopt-wide.php,adopt-conversion.php,adopt-conversion-no-app.php,adopt-conversion-similar.php,adopt-celebration-similar.php,adopt-details-navigation-similar.php– All Juniorfound-default.php,lost-default.php– Junioruniversal-details-navigation.php– Junior
Available Filters #
PetPoint supports filters for all method types. Adopt filters are available at Basic tier; lost, found, and list filters require Junior.
See Partner-Specific Filter Options for the full filter table.
Next Steps #
- Connecting Your Shelter System – Quick setup steps
- AnimalsFirst Integration Guide – Compare with AnimalsFirst
- API Connection Issues – Troubleshoot PetPoint connections
