Frequently asked questions

Q: What if a buyer pays their deposit in cash?

Record it. On the buyer's profile, Deposits & payments → Record a payment lets you enter the amount, how it was paid (cash, bank transfer, other), the date it changed hands and an optional reference. It then counts exactly like a card deposit: it comes off the balance, moves the sale's financial track, unlocks the buyer's puppy page and appears in the evidence pack. The one difference is honesty about the source. A card payment is labelled confirmed by Stripe; one you enter is labelled recorded by you, including on the buyer's receipt. Because it's your own record, you can also correct, refund or remove it — a Stripe payment can't be touched by hand. See Record a cash or bank-transfer payment.

Q: Can I use my own contract instead of Whelpkeep's?

Yes. Edit any contract to say what you want, then click Save as my default — every new contract starts from your wording, with that pup's details filled in via placeholders like {{buyername}} and {{price}}. You can also write it from scratch under Account & Settings → Contract wording. Whelpkeep still adds the legally required part to the bottom of every contract by itself: your state's identification and compliance details, the Australian Consumer Law note, the NSW 3-day/50% guarantee where it applies, and the signature block. You don't write those, and you can't delete them by accident — which also means they stay right as the rules change. See Use your own contract wording.

Q: Do I need a Stripe account?

Only to take card payments online. You connect it once under Account & Settings → Payments & deposits. Cash and bank-transfer payments are recorded without it, and everything else — animals, litters, records, compliance, listings — works without it too.

Short answers to the questions we hear most. Use the search box or Ask Whelpkeep for anything not covered here.

Who is Whelpkeep for?

Whelpkeep is for small registered dog and cat breeders in New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland and South Australia who want to run litters properly — tracking animals, buyers, deposits, records and state compliance in one place.

Does Whelpkeep take a cut of my deposits?

No. Buyers pay deposits straight into your own Stripe account. Whelpkeep records the payment and unlocks the buyer's puppy page, but it never holds or takes a share of your money.

What if a buyer pays their deposit in cash?

Record it. On the buyer's profile, Deposits & payments → Record a payment lets you enter the amount, how it was paid (cash, bank transfer, other), the date it changed hands and an optional reference. It then counts exactly like a card deposit: it comes off the balance, moves the sale's financial track, unlocks the buyer's puppy page and appears in the evidence pack.

The one difference is honesty about the source. A card payment is labelled confirmed by Stripe; one you enter is labelled recorded by you, including on the buyer's receipt. Because it's your own record, you can also correct, refund or remove it — a Stripe payment can't be touched by hand. See Record a cash or bank-transfer payment.

Can I use my own contract instead of Whelpkeep's?

Yes. Edit any contract to say what you want, then click Save as my default — every new contract starts from your wording, with that pup's details filled in via placeholders like {{buyer_name}} and {{price}}. You can also write it from scratch under Account & Settings → Contract wording.

Whelpkeep still adds the legally required part to the bottom of every contract by itself: your state's identification and compliance details, the Australian Consumer Law note, the NSW 3-day/50% guarantee where it applies, and the signature block. You don't write those, and you can't delete them by accident — which also means they stay right as the rules change. See Use your own contract wording.

Do I need a Stripe account?

Only to take card payments online. You connect it once under Account & Settings → Payments & deposits. Cash and bank-transfer payments are recorded without it, and everything else — animals, litters, records, compliance, listings — works without it too.

How do buyers see their puppy?

Each buyer gets a private puppy page reached by a link emailed to them. They sign in with their email address only — there's no password to remember. The page shows weekly photos and weights, any health records you've shared, and their contract and receipt.

Which states does Whelpkeep support?

New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland and South Australia. Whelpkeep tracks each state's breeder ID, deadlines and required contract wording. Plain-English summaries of each state's rules are on the Rules pages.

Is Whelpkeep legal advice?

No. Whelpkeep helps you stay organised and points you to your state's requirements, but it is general guidance, not legal advice. Always check your state regulator for the final word.

What happens when my free trial ends?

Your six-week trial includes every feature. When it ends you can subscribe annually or activate litters one at a time. If you don't, you move to the free plan and your account stays writable — the paid conveniences switch off, but you keep adding animals, litters and records, uncapped, for as long as you like. (Read-only applies only if you have paid before and that plan lapses or is cancelled: view and export stay open, adding and editing pause.) See Pricing.

Can I import my existing records?

Yes. You can bring in records from spreadsheets, CSV files, PDFs, Word documents and photos. Whelpkeep maps them and shows you everything to review before anything is saved. See Import your data.

Does the document reader change my records automatically?

No. When you upload a document, Whelpkeep reads it and offers the details for you to confirm or edit. Nothing is recorded as fact until you accept it. See How the document reader works.

Where is my data stored, and who can see it?

Your data is stored securely and only you can see your kennel's information — other breeders can't. Buyers only ever see the specific puppy page you share with them. For the full picture, read Security & privacy.

How do I get help?

Use Ask Whelpkeep on any page, search these docs, or contact our team. For breeding-rule questions, head to the Rules pages.