11/10/2026
IMPORTANT NOTICE – CANCELLATION POLICY
Firstly- this post is absolutely NOT aimed at any specific situation/people but is something I am experiencing more and more and feel it’s important to address as a small business owner.
Anyone who knows me knows I hate awkward posts like this, but I feel it’s quite an important thing for me to address.
I have always tried to be as fair, flexible and understanding as possible when it comes to my small business, and accommodate as much as I can. As of recently, I have had an increasing number of last minute cancellations/changes to bookings many on the day before/of the booking.
I completely appreciate that life happens, plans change and unexpected circumstances arise, we are only human and things crop up, of course they do. Because of this, I have rarely enforced my cancellation policy and try to be as understanding as I possibly can for individual circumstances, even though it has always been included in my terms and conditions. However, when multiple cancellations/changes are made repeatedly, of course this has a massive impact on me financially.
Unfortunately, I am now in a position where I can no longer continue to absorb the financial loss. When an appointment is cancelled at short notice, it is generally impossible for me to fill that space with another client.
I do not currently offer group walks, and only do 1:1 appointments therefore when that appointment is cancelled last minute, or changed to a different service, I lose the income I had allocated that time for, despite having reserved it specifically for that booking.
Like everyone else, I am also facing increasing costs, from fuel to insurance and the general day-to-day expenses involved in running a business. My business is not a side hobby for me; it is my dream job to work with dogs every day and my source of income. I take it extremely seriously, and am completely committed to continuously educate myself to offer the best service I possibly can. Alongside running my business, I am also studying at university and raising my two children meaning working limited hours around my family and university commitments, which means the appointments I have available are very limited.
I have always done my best to accommodate everyone, and I genuinely appreciate the support and understanding of my clients. However, I also have bills to pay, a family to support and a business that needs to remain financially viable in order for me to continue doing what I love.
In the last month I have lost a large amount of my wage solely down to last minute cancellations.
Therefore, with immediate effect, I will be enforcing my existing cancellation policy as outlined in my terms and conditions:
🐾 Less than 48 hours' notice: 50% of the booked service fee will be charged.
🐾 Less than 24 hours' notice: 100% of the booked service fee will be charged.
As I said above, this post is genuinely not aimed at any specific person, but just something I have experienced quite frequently recently, so across the board I need to do this to be able to make my business actually financially viable for me.
I really do appreciate all my wonderful clients who consistently support my business and choose to use my services. Your support genuinely means so much, and I never take it for granted, you guys are the best💓
Thank you for your understanding.
Shauna x
