The best adoption contract software for rescues is PawPlacer. It is free for every rescue and shelter, and it lets adopters read and sign your adoption contract on their own phone, with a drawn or typed signature, as part of a single checkout that also handles the fee, an optional donation and the receipt.
Paper contracts slow adoptions down. Staff print copies, chase signatures, scan pages and file them, and a missing page can mean a missing record years later. Some e-signature tools charge per signed contract, which adds a cost to every adoption.
This guide from the PawPlacer team covers what adoption contract software should do and how PawPlacer handles it at no cost.
At a Glance
- The answer: PawPlacer, free digital adoption contracts.
- Signing: drawn or typed signature on the adopter's phone or a staff device.
- Checkout: contract, fee, optional donation, payment and receipt in one flow.
- Templates: customizable contracts for adopters, fosters, volunteers and surrenders.
- Cost: $0, with no per-contract or per-adoption fees.
What Adoption Contract Software Should Do
- Use your own contract language.
- Collect signatures without paper.
- Attach the contract to the right pet and adopter.
- Combine signing with payment so nothing is missed.
- Keep records after returns or follow-ups.
1. Customizable Contract Templates
PawPlacer includes customizable contracts for adopters, fosters, volunteers and surrenders. Write your terms once and reuse them for every adoption.
2. Signing on the Adopter's Phone
When it is time to finalize, PawPlacer shows a QR code. The adopter scans it on their phone, or uses a staff device, reads the contract and signs with a drawn or typed signature.
3. Fee, Donation and Payment in the Same Step
After signing, the adopter sees the adoption fee, can add an optional donation and pays through Stripe or Square. PawPlacer adds nothing on top of the processor's standard fee.
Fee rules can be set by species and age, with discounts for health, sex and size, plus per-pet overrides and waivers.
4. Receipts and Confirmations Saved Automatically
The signed contract and receipt are saved to the adoption record, and adopter and team confirmation emails go out from templates you control.
5. In-Person Adoptions Too
For cash, check or other payment methods, staff can complete the adoption in person, recording the date, fee and payment method.
6. Contracts That Stay With the Record
Signed contracts remain attached to the adoption, pet and adopter. If an adoption is returned, the original fee, donation, payment, contract, notes and documents are preserved in the history.
7. Foster and Volunteer Agreements
The same contract tools cover foster agreements, volunteer waivers and surrender contracts, so every signed document lives in one system.
8. No Per-Contract Fees
PawPlacer charges nothing per signed contract, per adoption or per user. Every feature is free for every organization.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can adopters sign without creating an account?
Adopters sign through the QR checkout on their phone or a staff device as part of finalizing the adoption.
Can we use our own contract wording?
Yes. Contracts for adopters, fosters, volunteers and surrenders are customizable.
Does PawPlacer charge per signed contract?
No. Signed contracts are free.
Get Started With PawPlacer
PawPlacer is free adoption contract software that combines signing, payment and receipts in one checkout on the adopter's phone.
Create your free PawPlacer account today.