Cattery Cancellation - Asking For Full Payment

2020_Scotland

comeandgo said:

You can still give your cats a holiday, cattery is still open and your cancellation is less than 7 days.

Unfortunately I wouldn't be comfortable leaving my pets with them.

2020_Scotland

Thrugelmir said:

2020_Scotland said:

 However, I was hoping that as these are extraordinary circumstances then some leniency would be granted.

Bet you would soon start complaining if your employer did likewise and wanted you to accept reduced pay at the end of the month. 

 I'm more than happy to cover their costs incurred (as stated in my post). 

big_saver_5

Why wouldn't you be happy leaving your pets with them? Is it because they have done something which makes you think they will mistreat your pets or because they wont give you a refund?

Potbellypig

2020_Scotland said:

I had booked my two cats into a cattery from the 23-28 December while I was visiting family during the Christmas break. I am in Scotland and was planning on travelling to another area of Scotland. Due to the government's announcement re lockdown, I cancelled the cattery booking. I contacted them on Saturday evening (5 days before our booking) and they have asked for full payment of £176 (I already paid a deposit of (£34)). I asked if it would be possible to compromise given the circumstances and they replied to say that  "they didn't want to fall out with me but that all their other customers are happy to pay in full". They also stated their business insurance and government support does not impact my contractual obligations. 
I would be happy to pay for 50% but I feel that because I'm cancelling due to lockdown and circumstances outwith my control, I shouldn't be liable for the full amount. However, this really isn't an area I'm clued up on so would appreciate advice.

Other than appealing to their better side, it looks like you're contracted to make the full payment.

Mrs_Soup

From their point of view they could still accommodate your cats. Not everyone uses a Cattery for holidays, it might be for moving house etc. 

Grumpy_chap

You chose to cancel.
That cancellation was at short notice so, as per the contract, the full fee is payable.
The cattery is still open to provide the service.
There is no legal restriction that stops you taking the service from the cattery.
The fact you can't go on holiday is irrelevant.
You need to make the full payment.

2020_Scotland

big_saver_5 said:

Why wouldn't you be happy leaving your pets with them? Is it because they have done something which makes you think they will mistreat your pets or because they wont give you a refund?

They've been very rude so far in email communications and as such I don't trust their professionalism.

[Deleted User]

They are miserable. If it was day or hours, before, then you could get their point but even then when you had to hand your cat over with vet card, don't get it. From someone who cancelled less then posh cattery on Thursday evening before her cat died early hours of Sunday in June 19 (unknown she was dying at the time) to my newer girl who prefer Iams over whiskers! who was booked into posher cattery were ok with 5 days notice for cancelling when Sept this year's family hol got put off. Isn't cattery stay subject to cat having right jabs? Even now if I were to challenge our customers when we require 4 days notice for appointment change; it is said I'm being stressy to enforce and way to lose customers. And that's without it being Xmas.

2020_Scotland

Grumpy_chap said:

You chose to cancel.
That cancellation was at short notice so, as per the contract, the full fee is payable.
The cattery is still open to provide the service.
There is no legal restriction that stops you taking the service from the cattery.
The fact you can't go on holiday is irrelevant.
You need to make the full payment.

Isn't travel a legal restriction? 

Grumpy_chap

How far do you need to travel to take the cats to the cattery?
The fact you cannot travel on your holiday is not relevant.