How Adoptions Work
Adoptions are processed from the adopter profile. The adopter must be Active and must have at least one pending pet.
You can start the workflow from:
- Start Adoption in the profile action area, which includes all pending pets.
- Adopt on a pending pet card, which starts the workflow for that pet.
Choose an Adoption Method
After starting an adoption, PawPlacer opens Choose Adoption Method with two options.
Use PawPlacer Checkout
Choose Use PawPlacer Checkout when the adopter should complete terms, donation, and payment on their own device or in a public checkout flow.
The checkout flow:
- Generates a QR code and public adoption URL.
- Lets the adopter scan the code or lets staff continue on the current device.
- Shows the adoption terms.
- Shows the optional donation step.
- Shows payment options based on your payment settings.
- Completes the adoption when payment/confirmation is finished.
This is useful for events, contactless checkout, or any situation where the adopter should review terms and payment details directly.
Complete In Person
Choose Complete In Person when staff are recording the adoption immediately.
The in-person dialog includes:
- Adoption Date
- Payment Method
- Adoption Fee
- Donation Amount
- Total Amount
Click Complete Adoption to finalize the adoption from the staff device.
What Happens When an Adoption Completes
When an adoption is finalized, PawPlacer:
- Moves the pet from pending to adopted on the adopter profile.
- Creates an adoption record.
- Stores adoption date, payment method, fee, and donation details.
- Updates the pet's adoption state.
- Completes any active foster assignment for the adopted pet when applicable.
- Makes the adoption record available from Adoptions.
If email templates are configured for the adoption workflow, PawPlacer can send the relevant confirmation emails.
Pending Applications
Public adoption applicants arrive as Pending adopters.
- Filter Adopters by Pending.
- Open the applicant's profile.
- Review their information and custom answers.
- Click Approve or Decline in the pending application alert.
Approved adopters become Active and can adopt pets. Declined adopters are marked denied.
Adoption Records
Completed adoption records live in Adoptions. Each record includes adopter information, linked pets, payment summary, payment ledger, follow-ups, receipt actions, documents, notes, and return tools.
Returned pets remain visible in adoption history so your team keeps the full context.