Project

Pet Licensing & Adoptions
Denver Animal Care & Control
City and County of Denver
Created: 2005-2006

Goal

Integrate a third-party pet management application into the city's Web site to offer online pet licensing payments and a searchable pet database.

Scope of Work

This project was initiated by the client who approached our team with a desire to integrate a Web interface for a third-party software application used by the shelter for pet management.

The project was a central part of a marketing initiative to increase awareness about their services, improve licensing compliance by residents, and help the shelter generate revenue for animal care. It was also seen as an effective solution to help minimize the shelter's workload and streamline the process so that residents could obtain their licenses faster.

The product, developed by Chameleon Software, featured a core desktop application that enabled shelter staff to add photos and descriptions of pets, as well as accept and manage license payments and vaccination information. The Web interface was a new module designed to enable online payments for dog and cat licenses, and allow the public to search for lost and adoptable pets without having to come to the shelter.

As with most early software releases, it had limitations which brought design challenges. To enhance usability, I designed and created pages to present the application so that it would appear similar to other searchable applications on the city's Web site and minimize its flaws so that the public would trust it and submit payment information.

I also worked closely with the client to develop additional content, including original copy and graphics. The site was launched in coordination with other elements of the marketing plan, and the client reported heavy use of the application.

Recognition

The feature was named "Best New Pet Service" in Westword's 2006 Best of Denver series.