Template · Cancellations
Dog walking cancellation policy template (UK)
The short answer
Require 24 hours' notice. Charge 50% for late cancellations and 100% for no-shows and lockouts. Put it in writing before the first walk, then let it apply itself. Copy-paste the wording below.
Why this matters
A client cancels 30 minutes before the walk. You've already driven there. Without a policy, that's an awkward "do I charge them?" every single time, so most walkers eat the cost. Over a year that quietly adds up to a serious amount of unbilled, unrecoverable time.
What most walkers get wrong
- Having a policy "in their head" but never sending it to clients.
- Deciding case-by-case, so the fee feels personal and gets dropped.
- Forgetting to actually add the fee to the next invoice.
The policy we recommend
Short, fair and specific. Swap in your business name and fee if yours differs, then send it at onboarding so it's never a surprise.
COPY-PASTE POLICY
Cancellation policy for [Your business name]
· 24 hours' notice is required to cancel or reschedule a walk.
· Cancellations with less than 24 hours' notice are charged at 50% of the walk fee.
· No-shows, lockouts or no access on arrival are charged in full.
· Holidays paused with 48 hours' notice are not charged.
· Recurring walks continue unless you let us know otherwise.
By booking, you agree to this policy. Any fees appear on your next invoice.
How BearWalk automates it
Set your rules once. We do the awkward bit.
Tell BearWalk your notice window and late-cancel fee. When a client cancels late, the fee lands on their next invoice automatically: no case-by-case decision, no chasing, no awkward money chat.
Request access