The best adoption application software for rescues is PawPlacer. It is free for every rescue and shelter, and it handles the full adoption process online: custom application forms, an applicant inbox, approvals, meet and greets, AI matching, digital contracts and QR checkout with payment.
For many rescues, applications arrive as form emails, get copied into a spreadsheet and are discussed in a group chat. Replies go out from personal inboxes, and nobody can see the whole conversation with an applicant. Good adopters wait, and some move on.
This guide from the PawPlacer team covers what adoption application software should do and how PawPlacer handles it at no cost.
At a Glance
- The answer: PawPlacer, free adoption application software.
- Cost: $0, with no per-adoption or per-contract fees.
- Applications: custom forms on your public profile and website widgets.
- Review: an applicant inbox that keeps each person's submissions and emails together.
- Finish: QR checkout where the adopter signs, adds an optional donation and pays on their phone.
What Adoption Application Software Should Do
The best systems shorten the time from application to adoption:
- Custom forms: questions that fit your rescue's process.
- One inbox: every submission and email per applicant.
- Fast decisions: approve or decline in one step.
- Scheduling: meet and greets tied to the pet and applicant.
- Digital close: contracts, fees and payment without paper.
1. Custom Adoption Application Forms
PawPlacer's form builder creates adoption applications with your own questions, required fields and agreements. Applicants find them on your PawPlacer public profile or through an adopter form widget embedded on your website.
GetBuddy applications also arrive in your review queue automatically when your adoptable pets are shared there.
2. An Applicant Inbox for Every Person
Every application lands in PawPlacer's applicant inbox, which groups each person's submissions, emails and decisions into one conversation. Any team member with access can see the full history before replying.
Twenty-two customizable email templates cover confirmations, approvals, declines and follow-ups, so replies stay consistent.
3. Approvals and Pipelines
Staff approve or decline applications in one action, with optional emails to the applicant. Adoption pipelines show where each application stands, and internal notes stay beside the record.
4. Meet and Greets
Approved applicants can be scheduled for meet and greets tied to the pet and the person. Meet and greets appear on the unified calendar beside medical care, volunteer shifts and transports.
5. AI Matching for Better Fits
AI matching ranks compatible adopters for each pet, and Match Lab compares candidates side by side. Staff make every final decision.
6. QR Checkout and Digital Contracts
When it is time to finalize, PawPlacer shows a QR code. The adopter scans it on their phone or a staff device, reads the contract, signs with a drawn or typed signature, sees the fee, can add an optional donation and pays.
The signed contract, receipt and follow-up plan are saved automatically. Adoptions paid by cash or check can be completed in person and recorded the same way.
Fees that fit your policy
Fee rules can be set by species and age, with discounts for health, sex and size, plus per-pet overrides and waivers.
7. After the Adoption
Follow-up plans keep check-ins on schedule, and returns are recorded with history preserved. Adopter and team confirmation emails go out automatically.
8. Adoption Tracking and Reports
Built-in dashboards cover outcomes and length of stay, and custom reports show adoption trends over time. Reports export to CSV or Excel.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can applicants apply from our website?
Yes. PawPlacer's adopter form widget embeds on WordPress, Shopify and most site builders.
Does PawPlacer charge per application or adoption?
No. Applications, adoptions and signed contracts are all free.
Can adopters pay online?
Yes. Online payments run through Stripe or Square, which charge their own standard fees. PawPlacer adds nothing on top.
Get Started With PawPlacer
PawPlacer is free adoption application software that takes a rescue from first application to signed contract in one system. Forms, inbox, approvals, meet and greets and checkout all work together.
Create your free PawPlacer account today.