Dog walkers & pet sitters
Dog walking: the cost of cancellations and unpaid time, and fair UK cancellation fees
By Kamal Leadbitter, Founder · Last reviewed November 2026
The short answer
Two short-notice cancellations a week at £14 each cost a dog walker around £1,450 a year. Under the Consumer Rights Act 2015 you can charge a fair cancellation fee that reflects your real loss, as long as it was agreed in writing before booking.
Example dog walking rates
| 60-minute group walk | £14.00 |
| Solo walk | £20.00 |
| 30-minute pop-in visit | £11.00 |
| Additional dog, same household | +£7.00 |
| Weekend / bank holiday | +30% |
| Muddy dog wash and dry | £5.00 |
The rates below are worked examples, chosen to sit within the range of prices UK businesses publish on their own websites. They are not survey averages. Use them to model your own numbers, then replace them with your real prices. Legal points link to the original legislation or GOV.UK guidance.
Worked model: cancellations and unpaid minutes
| 2 short-notice cancellations a week (£14 × 2 × 52) | £1,456 |
| Unbilled wash and dry, 4 a week (£5 × 4 × 52) | £1,040 |
| Key or access delays, 15 mins a week at £20/hr | £260 |
| Total | £2,756 a year |
A cancelled slot at 8am is rarely refilled the same day, so it is lost income rather than free time.
What a fair cancellation policy looks like
Most dog-walking clients are consumers. The Consumer Rights Act 2015 lets you charge for a late cancellation, but a term that is a penalty rather than a fair reflection of your loss can be unfair and unenforceable. The CMA's unfair-terms guidance explains the test.
A 24-hour notice period with the full fee for later cancellations is commonly used and easy to justify, because you cannot refill the slot. Put it in writing and get agreement before the first walk.
Statutory late-payment interest only applies to business customers, so chasing a private client relies on your terms and, at worst, a small claim.
Three habits that stop the leak
- Send your price list and cancellation policy before the first booking.
- Charge extras such as washing as their own invoice line.
- Invoice weekly or take payment in advance for regular walks.
Copy-and-paste cancellation policy
Walks cancelled with less than 24 hours' notice are charged in full, as I can't refill the slot at short notice. Cancel by 8am the day before and there's no charge.
Frequently asked questions
Can dog walkers charge for late cancellations?
Yes, if the policy was agreed in writing before booking and the fee is a fair reflection of the money you lose.
Is a 24-hour cancellation policy fair?
It is widely used and easy to justify because a short-notice slot usually cannot be refilled. Make sure clients agree to it first.
Can I charge late-payment interest to a dog-walking client?
Only if your terms say so. Statutory interest under the Late Payment Act applies to business customers, not private dog owners.
How much do cancellations cost a dog walker?
In our worked model, two short-notice cancellations a week at £14 cost about £1,450 a year.
Sources
- Consumer Rights Act 2015
- CMA — Unfair contract terms guidance
- Late Payment of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act 1998
- GOV.UK — Make a court claim for money
This is practical guidance, not legal advice. For a specific dispute, speak to a solicitor or Citizens Advice.
Citing this guide? Please link to this page and credit “Kamal Leadbitter, SaidToPaid”.