User Settings

The User Settings section allows you to manage your personal account through two dedicated pages: Profile Settings for your personal information and Credentials Settings for security management.

Overview

Your PawPlacer user account contains important information that identifies you within the system and determines how you appear to other team members. You can customize various aspects of your profile and manage your security settings to ensure safe access to your account.

Profile Settings

Managing Your Profile

From the Profile Settings page, you can update:

• Display Name - How your name appears throughout PawPlacer
• Profile Picture - The avatar displayed next to your name
• Personal Preferences - Your individual settings and preferences

Updating Your Profile Picture

To change your profile picture:

1. Click on the current profile picture or the placeholder avatar
2. Select a new image from your device
3. Crop the image if needed
4. Save your changes

Profile pictures help team members quickly identify each other and create a more personalized experience.

Credentials Settings

The Credentials Settings page provides dedicated security management for your account, including email updates, password changes, and multi-factor authentication.

Email Management

To update your email address:

1. Navigate to Settings > Credentials
2. Enter your new email address in the Email field
3. Click "Update Email"
4. A verification email will be sent to the new address
5. Click the verification link in the email to confirm the change

This verification step ensures you have access to the email address being used for your account.

Password Management

To change your password:

1. Navigate to Settings > Credentials
2. Enter your current password for verification
3. Create a new password that meets the security requirements:
   • At least 8 characters long
   • Contains a mix of letters, numbers, and special characters
4. Confirm your new password by typing it again
5. Click "Update Password"

Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)

Multi-factor authentication adds an extra layer of security to your account by requiring a second form of verification beyond your password.

Setting Up MFA

To enable multi-factor authentication:

1. Navigate to Settings > Credentials
2. In the Multi-Factor Authentication section, click "Set Up MFA"
3. Choose your preferred authentication method:
   • Authenticator App - Use apps like Google Authenticator or Authy
   • SMS - Receive codes via text message
4. Follow the setup instructions for your chosen method
5. Save the backup codes provided in a secure location

Using MFA

Once enabled, you'll need to:

1. Enter your password as usual when logging in
2. Provide the second factor (app code or SMS code)
3. Optionally mark trusted devices to reduce frequent prompts

Managing MFA

You can:

• View active factors - See which MFA methods are enabled
• Add additional factors - Set up backup authentication methods
• Remove factors - Disable specific MFA methods
• Generate new backup codes - Replace lost or used backup codes

Recovery Options

If you lose access to your MFA device:

1. Use one of your saved backup codes
2. Contact your organization administrator for help
3. Verify your identity through alternative means

Communication Preferences

You can manage how PawPlacer communicates with you:

• Email Notifications - Choose which system notifications you receive
• Application Alerts - Set preferences for new application notifications
• Digest Emails - Configure summary emails with shelter activity

Account Privacy

Your profile information is generally only visible to other team members within your organization. Your name and picture may appear on public-facing areas if you're listed as a contact person for adoptions or other services.

User Interface Preferences

PawPlacer offers some customization options for your user experience:

• Language - Select your preferred language for the interface
• Time Format - Choose between 12-hour and 24-hour time display
• Date Format - Select your preferred date format (MM/DD/YYYY or DD/MM/YYYY)

Access Management

The Profile Settings page also provides:

• Session Management - View and log out from other active sessions
• Account Deletion - Options for deactivating or deleting your account
• Login History - A record of recent account access for security monitoring

Profile settings are personal to your user account and separate from shelter-wide settings.