Booking months ahead: why your card is saved, not charged

If you book a stay with a dog sitter more than three months ahead, you will notice something different: your card is saved, but nothing is charged. This guide explains why, and what happens next.

What you will see when you book

When you send your request, the deposit screen tells you that your card is being saved securely and that nothing is charged today. Your card details go straight to Stripe, the payment provider for your dog sitter or dog walker, and never touch The DoggyDesk. You will normally see your sitter’s or walker’s name on your card statement, because the payment goes to them. The DoggyDesk never holds the money you pay them.

Your sitter has up to 72 hours to accept or decline. If they decline, or do not reply in time, your saved card details are removed automatically and nothing is ever taken.

Why we do not charge you straight away

We do not take your money until your booking is less than three months away, so it is not tied up for months. The deposit, which is normally half of the booking total, is taken automatically 87 days before your stay ends. For example, if your stay ends on 18 December, your deposit is taken on 22 September.

As the date gets closer

• Three days before: we email you to say your deposit is about to be taken, so it never comes as a surprise.
• On the day: the deposit is taken from your saved card automatically, and your sitter is told it has landed.
• After your stay: the balance is settled the way you chose when you booked, either on the same card or directly with your sitter.

If the payment does not go through

• Your card is declined: we try again the next day. Your dashboard tells you so, and there is nothing you need to do yet.
• Declined again: we email you a link to pay with another card. It works for 24 hours.
• Your bank wants to check it is you: this can happen with a card that has sat unused for months. We email you a Confirm the deposit button, and your dashboard shows an amber note under the booking. Press the button and approve the payment with your bank, for example with a PIN. You can use the same card or a different one. This does not count as a failed payment. Your sitter can see that you still need to confirm, so please do it promptly.
• Refused twice, and still nothing two weeks before your stay: your sitter is told, and your booking is not cancelled for you. Your sitter chooses whether to keep it as a cash booking or cancel it, so it is worth getting in touch with them.

If your plans change

Cancel before the deposit is taken and your saved card is simply removed. No money has moved. Once the deposit has been taken, your sitter’s cancellation policy applies in the usual way. It is shown on their booking page before you book and saved with your booking, so it cannot change afterwards. There is more in what happens after you send a booking request.

If your sitter booked you in themselves

If your sitter added the booking for you, and you do not have an account, there is no card to save. We do not email or text you ourselves, so your sitter will send you a payment link nearer the time if they take card payments, or you can pay them directly, for example in cash or by bank transfer.

What about dog walks?

Walks can only be booked up to 12 weeks ahead, so a walk deposit is held on your card in the usual way and is never saved for later.