Stripe Connect

Stripe Connect lets your shelter accept credit and debit card payments directly from adopters during the adoption checkout. Payments go straight to your Stripe account; PawPlacer never holds your funds and charges zero platform fees on top of Stripe's standard processing rate.

This page covers everything you need to know about setting up, managing, and troubleshooting your Stripe Connect integration.

Why Stripe Connect?

Unlike the other payment methods in PawPlacer (PayPal, Venmo, Cash App, crypto), Stripe is the only option that processes payments entirely within the adoption flow. The adopter enters their card details on a secure Stripe Checkout page, and the adoption is marked complete automatically once the payment succeeds. There's no QR code to scan, no manual confirmation checkbox, and no leaving the process to open another app.

Stripe supports Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Apple Pay.

Setting Up Stripe Connect

Step 1: Start the Connection

1. Go to Settings > Payment Methods.
2. In the Stripe card, click Configure Stripe.
3. PawPlacer creates a Stripe Connect account linked to your organization and redirects you to Stripe's onboarding flow.

Step 2: Complete Stripe Onboarding

Stripe will ask you to provide:

• Your organization's legal name, address, and tax ID
• A bank account where Stripe will deposit your payouts
• Identity verification for the account representative

If you already have a Stripe account, you can connect it during this step. If you don't have one, Stripe will create one for you as part of the process.

Step 3: Return to PawPlacer

When you finish (or if you need to come back later), Stripe redirects you to PawPlacer. PawPlacer checks your account status with Stripe and updates it accordingly.

If you left the Stripe onboarding before completing all steps, your account will be in Pending status. Click Configure Stripe again to pick up where you left off; you won't lose any progress.

Account Statuses

Your Stripe Connect account has one of three statuses, displayed on the Payment Methods settings page:

Pending: You've started the setup process but Stripe still needs more information or is reviewing your submission. You cannot accept payments yet. Click Configure Stripe to continue onboarding.

Active: Stripe has verified your account, charges are enabled, and payouts are enabled. You're ready to accept card payments during adoptions. A confirmation message appears with a link to your Stripe Dashboard where you can manage payouts, view transactions, issue refunds, and update your bank details.

Rejected: Stripe could not verify your account, usually due to issues with identity documents or business information. Contact PawPlacer support for help resolving this.

PawPlacer keeps your account status in sync with Stripe through webhooks. If Stripe updates your account (for example, after reviewing additional documents), PawPlacer reflects the change automatically.

How Payments Work

Here's what happens when an adopter pays with Stripe during a public (QR code) adoption:

1. The adopter reaches the payment step and selects Stripe.
2. The payment summary shows the adoption fee, optional donation, and a Stripe processing fee (2.9% + $0.30) as separate amounts. The processing fee ensures your shelter receives the full adoption fee and donation; PawPlacer keeps none of it.
3. The adopter clicks Pay with Stripe. PawPlacer creates a Stripe Checkout session and redirects them to Stripe's secure payment page.
4. The adopter enters their card information and completes the payment on Stripe's page.
5. Stripe sends a webhook to PawPlacer confirming the payment succeeded.
6. PawPlacer automatically fulfills the adoption: the pet's status changes to "Adopted," the adoption record is created, and the adopter is redirected to a success page.

The entire flow is automatic after the adopter clicks Pay. No staff member needs to manually confirm anything.

Processing Fees

Stripe charges 2.9% + $0.30 per successful transaction. This is Stripe's standard rate and is the only fee involved; PawPlacer does not add any markup or platform fee.

The processing fee is calculated on the combined total of the adoption fee and donation. It is shown to the adopter as a separate line item labeled "Stripe processing fee" on both the PawPlacer payment summary and the Stripe Checkout page, with a note explaining that the fee is charged by Stripe so the shelter receives the full amount.

For example, if the adoption fee is $150 and the adopter donates $50, the base amount is $200. The processing fee would be ($200 + $0.30) / (1 - 0.029) - $200 = $6.28. The adopter pays $206.28 total, and your shelter receives $200.

Expired and Failed Payments

Expired checkout sessions: If the adopter opens the Stripe Checkout page but doesn't complete payment before the session expires (tied to the adoption's expiration time), PawPlacer cancels the payment record. The adopter sees a message that the session expired and can click Pay with Stripe again to start a new checkout session.

Failed payments: If the adopter's card is declined or another error occurs, PawPlacer detects the failure via webhook and shows an error notification. The adopter can retry with a different card.

Duplicate protection: PawPlacer prevents duplicate charges by tracking the payment record. If a checkout session already exists for the same adoption, fee, and donation amount, the existing session is reused rather than creating a new one.

Managing Payments in Stripe

Once your Stripe Connect account is active, you manage your payment operations directly in the Stripe Dashboard:

• View transactions: See every payment, including the adoption fee, donation, and processing fee breakdown.
• Issue refunds: Process full or partial refunds directly from the Stripe Dashboard.
• Manage payouts: Configure when and how Stripe sends funds to your bank account.
• Download reports: Export transaction data for bookkeeping.

PawPlacer stores the payment record (amount, method, status) in your adoption records, but Stripe is the source of truth for the actual financial transaction.

Stripe Connect vs. PawPlacer Subscription Billing

These are two completely separate things:

• PawPlacer subscription (Settings > Billing): the plan you pay to use PawPlacer. This is billed by PawPlacer through Stripe.
• Stripe Connect (Settings > Payment Methods): the account that receives adoption fees and donations from adopters. This is your organization's own Stripe account.

They use different Stripe accounts, different payment flows, and different settings pages.

Troubleshooting

"Configure Stripe" doesn't do anything: Make sure you have Admin privileges. Only admins can set up or modify payment methods.

Account stuck in Pending: Click Configure Stripe again to resume onboarding. Stripe may need additional documents or information. Check your email for messages from Stripe about outstanding requirements.

Adopter says payment failed: Check your Stripe Dashboard for the transaction. Common causes include declined cards, insufficient funds, or international card restrictions. The adopter can retry with a different card.

Payments aren't arriving in my bank account: Stripe typically sends payouts on a rolling schedule (e.g., 2 business days after payment). Check your payout schedule and bank account details in the Stripe Dashboard.

I need to disconnect my Stripe account: Contact PawPlacer support. Disconnecting Stripe will disable card payments for all future adoptions until a new account is connected.

Related

• Payment Methods Settings: Configure all payment options including Stripe
• Payment and Completion: How adopters experience the payment step
• Adoption Fees Settings: Set up your fee structure
• Donation Amounts: Configure donation presets
• Billing Settings: Manage your PawPlacer subscription (separate from Stripe Connect)