Running an animal shelter is a demanding mission: dozens of animals with different stories, volunteers working in shifts, foster families to coordinate, adoptions to prepare and administrative obligations to meet. For a long time these processes were handled with Excel spreadsheets, paper notebooks or emails. Today there is a far more effective alternative: dedicated shelter management software.
Why specialised software for shelters?
A spreadsheet can hold a list of animals. But it cannot send a notification to a volunteer, generate an adoption file automatically, or let a foster family check the current treatments of the animal they are looking after. Specialised software like Son Espace Refuge is designed for the real needs on the ground, not for the needs of an office.
Must-have features in shelter software
1. Individual profiles for every resident
Every animal needs its own digital profile: species, breed, age, medical history, vaccines, current treatments, behaviour, photos. Son Espace Refuge brings all this information together in one complete record, accessible to the whole team from a smartphone or computer. The record follows the animal from its arrival at the shelter until its adoption.
2. QR code traceability
One of the innovations shelters using Son Espace Refuge appreciate most is QR code traceability. Each animal has its own printable code. When a volunteer takes a dog out, feeds it or gives it care, they simply scan the QR code with their smartphone: the action is recorded instantly with the time and the volunteer's name. No more lost or illegible paper sign-in sheets.
3. Volunteer management
In a shelter, volunteers come and go, and information needs to flow smoothly. Son Espace Refuge lets you add an unlimited number of volunteers, each with their own access to the app. The action history is complete: every logbook entry shows who did what and when, ensuring continuity of care and accountability within the team.
4. Foster families
Placing an animal with a foster family involves a delicate handover of information. With Son Espace Refuge, foster families have their own access to the app. They can view the record of the animal in their care, add observations and alert the team if needed. The shelter keeps an overall view of every animal placed.
5. Tracking adoptions
Preparing an adoption involves a significant amount of paperwork. Son Espace Refuge simplifies the process: preparing adoption forms, tracking each animal's journey (available, in foster care, adopted), and transferring the complete digital record — vaccines, treatments, history, photos — to the new family in one click.
6. Accounts and donations
Shelter charities have to report to their donors and members. Son Espace Refuge includes a simple accounting module to track expenses, income and donations. Easier reporting for non-profit associations (in France, “loi 1901” associations).
7. Managing pens and spaces
Seeing in real time how animals are spread across pens or kennels helps you make the most of the space available, plan for new arrivals and spot overcrowding. Son Espace Refuge gives you an overview of space occupancy.
How much does shelter software cost?
Son Espace Refuge is accessible to every organisation, whatever its size:
- Free plan: essential features, ideal for getting started or for very small organisations
- Small Shelter plan at €4.99/month: up to 5 animals per species, the most popular plan
- Medium Shelter plan at €14.99/month: up to 10 animals per species
- Large Shelter plan at €29.99/month: unlimited animals, for large organisations
All paid plans are available monthly or yearly, with two months free on annual billing, and include the e-invoicing that becomes mandatory in France on 1st September 2026.
You choose your plan directly when you create your account in the app, with no commitment.
Which devices does Son Espace Refuge work on?
Son Espace Refuge is available on iPhone and iPad (iOS), Android phones and tablets, and as a web app in any browser. The team and volunteers can use the app on their own devices, with no special equipment to buy. All data syncs in real time.
Conclusion
A well-run animal shelter means more animals helped, more effective volunteers and better-prepared adoptions. That is what Son Espace Refuge is built for: cutting the admin load so teams can put their energy into what really matters — the animals' welfare.
Discover Son Espace Refuge
Management software for shelters and animal welfare charities. Free to get started.
