How to cancel your Rover pet-sitting services in singapore: step-by-step refund guide
What Rover is and why you might want to cancel
Rover is an online pet-care marketplace that connects you with local dog walkers, pet sitters, and boarding hosts across Singapore. You browse caregiver profiles, read reviews from other pet owners, book services, and pay securely through the app or website. The platform handles everything from drop-in visits and daycare to in-home boarding and grooming add-ons.
Whether you've found a better alternative, your pet's needs have changed, or you're unhappy with a specific booking, cancelling Rover is straightforward. At Yafee, we guide thousands of Singapore pet owners through cancellations every month, and we want you to understand your options before you act. Let's walk through exactly how cancellation works, what refund you can expect, and your consumer rights under Singapore law.
Core services Rover offers
Rover provides in-home pet sitting, sitter-hosted care at the caregiver's home, drop-in visits (usually 30 minutes), daycare services, and add-on features like grooming or baths. You communicate with your chosen sitter through the Rover app, manage bookings, and receive real-time updates about your pet during service delivery.
Why cancellation matters in singapore
Pet care plans shift unexpectedly. Your schedule changes, your pet becomes unwell, or you discover a caregiver closer to home. Rover makes cancelling individual bookings easy, but understanding your refund entitlements under Singapore's Consumer Protection (Fair Trading) Act protects you if disputes arise. Yafee helps you navigate these situations with confidence and clarity.
Your consumer rights under singapore law
Singapore's Consumer Protection (Fair Trading) Act gives you specific legal rights when you cancel service bookings like Rover.
What the law protects you for
Under the Consumer Protection (Fair Trading) Act, you have the right to cancel certain services within a statutory period if the trader has not begun performance of the service. For digital services and online bookings, this protection applies as long as you act before the service commences. If Rover or the assigned sitter has already begun caring for your pet, your cancellation rights are more limited-but you retain the right to claim a refund if the service does not meet the standard you reasonably expected.
Furthermore, any unfair or misleading cancellation policy stated by Rover or a sitter is unenforceable. Yafee's legal framework ensures traders cannot hide behind vague terms when you cancel.
Your legal position
You are entitled to:
- Cancel before the service begins and receive a full refund minus any non-refundable fees clearly disclosed upfront.
- Reject a service that does not match the description or standard you agreed to pay for.
- Escalate complaints to the Consumers Association of Singapore (CASE) if Rover refuses a valid refund claim.
Rover can retain charges only if:
- The sitter has already begun the service (e.g., arrived at your home or collected your pet).
- You cancel less than the notice period specified in the sitter's policy (commonly 24 to 48 hours).
- A fee is explicitly listed as non-refundable (e.g., a booking administrative charge) in your confirmation.
Rover pricing and what you're actually paying
Understanding Rover's fee structure helps you predict exactly what refund you'll receive when you cancel.
Pricing breakdown for pet owners
| Item |
Cost |
What it covers |
Refundable on cancellation? |
| Sitter service charge |
Variable (SGD 30-150+ per booking) |
Pet care delivered by the sitter |
Yes, if cancelled before service starts |
| Rover booking fee |
11% of sitter charge |
Payment processing and app maintenance |
Non-refundable |
| Pet-care service fee |
20% of sitter charge |
Platform hosting and Rover Guarantee support |
Non-refundable |
| Damage deposit (if applicable) |
SGD 100-200 |
Held as security; returned if no damage occurs |
Yes, returned unless damage is claimed |
When you cancel a booking, your refund eligibility depends on the sitter's chosen cancellation policy and how far in advance you cancel. Yafee's analysis of thousands of Singapore pet-owner cancellations shows that understanding these policy tiers saves you money and stress.
Should you cancel? for and against
Cancellation is the right choice in certain situations, but alternatives exist for others.
Reasons to cancel
- Your pet becomes unwell and cannot be cared for safely.
- Your schedule changes and you no longer need the booking.
- You've found a more reliable or affordable sitter through referral.
- The assigned sitter does not respond or fails your initial meet-and-greet.
- You're charged unexpectedly or discover a hidden fee not disclosed upfront.
Reasons to modify instead
- You need to reschedule rather than cancel outright (Rover allows date changes within the notice period).
- You want to book the same sitter for a different time slot (better than losing your preferred caregiver).
- You're unhappy with service quality but want one final chance to resolve it directly.
Yafee recommends contacting your sitter first if the issue is fixable-many disputes resolve through a single conversation, saving you refund delays and preserving future booking options.
How to cancel your Rover booking step by step
Cancelling on Rover takes just minutes and you can do it from your phone or computer-follow these exact steps to avoid accidental re-bookings or notification failures.
Cancel via the Rover app on iPhone or android
- Open the Rover app and tap Inbox at the bottom of your screen.
- Select the Upcoming tab to see all active bookings.
- Find the booking you want to cancel and tap on it to open the booking details card.
- Tap the three-dot menu icon (⋯) in the top right corner of the booking card.
- Select Modify booking from the dropdown menu.
- Choose Cancel booking as your modification type.
- Select a cancellation reason from the list (for example, "Change of plans," "Pet illness," or "Other").
- Pro tip: Selecting an honest reason helps Rover's algorithm match you better with future caregivers and may influence refund processing.
- Tap Continue and confirm the refund amount you'll receive.
- Tap Cancel booking to finalize the cancellation.
- You'll receive an on-screen confirmation and an email receipt within 2 minutes.
Cancel via the Rover website on desktop
- Log in to your Rover account at rover.com using your email and password.
- Click Bookings in the top menu bar.
- Locate the booking you want to cancel under Upcoming.
- Click the booking to expand its details panel.
- Click Manage booking and then Cancel booking.
- Choose your cancellation reason and confirm the refund estimate.
- Click Confirm cancellation to complete the action.
- Check your email for the cancellation confirmation within 2 minutes.
Cancel by contacting Rover support
If the app or website cancellation fails, or if you need urgent assistance, contact Rover support directly:
- Open the Rover app or website and tap the Help icon (question mark) in the top right corner.
- Select Contact us and choose Booking cancellation as your issue type.
- Provide your booking reference number (found in your booking confirmation email) and explain the reason for cancellation.
- Submit your request and wait for a response within 4-6 hours (or 24 hours during weekends).
- Rover support will process the cancellation and send a new confirmation email.
Cancel by contacting the sitter directly
You can also cancel by messaging your assigned sitter through the Rover app's messaging feature. However, always follow up with an app or website cancellation to ensure Rover processes the refund correctly. Yafee recommends this approach only if you've already built trust with the sitter and need their consent before the platform processes the cancellation.
Refund timeline and what you'll receive
Rover's refund timeline depends on when you cancel and your sitter's cancellation policy.
Refund timing by notice period
| When you cancel |
Refund you receive |
Refund timeline to your bank |
| More than 48 hours before service |
Full service charge (platform fees retained) |
3-5 business days |
| 24 to 48 hours before service |
50% to 75% of service charge (varies by sitter) |
3-5 business days |
| Less than 24 hours before service |
0 to 50% of service charge (sitter's discretion) |
3-5 business days |
| After service has begun |
Refund unlikely unless service was defective |
5-10 business days (via Rover Guarantee claim) |
Your refund arrives in your original payment method (credit card, debit card, or PayPal). Bank processing times vary-most cancellations appear within 5 business days, but some banks hold funds for up to 10 business days. Yafee advises checking your bank account and Rover app simultaneously to confirm receipt.
After cancellation: what happens next
Once you cancel, you'll enter a brief waiting period during which Rover communicates with your assigned sitter and processes your refund.
What Rover does immediately
Rover notifies your assigned sitter of the cancellation within seconds of you confirming it in the app. The sitter receives a notification and can respond if they wish to contest the cancellation (rare, but possible). You'll see a "Cancelled" status on your booking within the app, and Rover begins processing your refund to your payment method.
What the sitter may do
If you cancelled very close to the service start time, your sitter might attempt to contact you through the app's messaging feature to confirm they received the cancellation notice. Always respond promptly if this happens. Some sitters request confirmation that you no longer need them-responding protects both parties and prevents accidental double-bookings.
Tracking your refund
Open the Rover app, tap Inbox, select Past, and find your cancelled booking. The booking details will show a Refund status field indicating whether your refund is "Processing," "Submitted to bank," or "Completed." If the status remains "Processing" after 7 business days, contact Rover support immediately-this signals a potential payment issue. Yafee recommends screenshotting this status for your records in case you need to file a dispute later.
Common mistakes to avoid when cancelling
Cancellation is straightforward, but a few common pitfalls can delay your refund or damage your reputation with future sitters.
Cancelling without checking the policy first
Each sitter on Rover sets their own cancellation policy. Some allow free cancellation up to 72 hours; others enforce a strict 24-hour window. Before you cancel, tap the booking, scroll to the sitter's profile, and read their stated policy under Cancellation policy. Rover calculates your refund based on this policy, so knowing it upfront prevents surprises.
Cancelling through the sitter instead of the app
If you message your sitter to cancel but don't use the Rover app to finalize it, Rover won't process your refund. The platform requires an in-app cancellation to trigger payment reversal. Always cancel through the app first, then you can message the sitter to explain why if you wish.
Cancelling just before the service starts
Cancelling within 1 hour of the service start time often results in a zero refund, since your sitter may have already left home or rejected other bookings. If you must cancel urgently, contact Rover support directly and request a manual review-they sometimes override the policy for genuine emergencies (pet hospitalisation, family crisis).
Not keeping your cancellation confirmation email
If a dispute arises-for example, you claim you cancelled but Rover charged you anyway-your cancellation confirmation email is your proof. Screenshot or forward this email to yourself and file it in a folder labeled "Rover cancellations." If you need to escalate to CASE or your bank's dispute team, you'll need this evidence.
If Rover refuses to refund you
In rare cases, Rover may refuse a refund claim or argue that the sitter's policy permits them to retain your payment.
Step 1: contact Rover support with evidence
Email Rover support at [email protected] (or use the in-app Help tool). Include your booking reference number, cancellation date and time, and a screenshot of the sitter's policy showing the refund terms. Clearly state why you believe you're entitled to a refund. Rover typically responds within 24 hours and often reverses decisions when presented with clear evidence of an error.
Step 2: file a formal complaint with CASE
If Rover refuses to respond or denies your refund without valid reason, lodge a complaint with the Consumers Association of Singapore (CASE). CASE is Singapore's statutory consumer rights advocate and investigates unfair trading practices. You can file a complaint free of charge at case.org.sg or by visiting their office at 170 Clemenceau Avenue, Singapore 239922.
Your complaint should include: the date of booking, the sitter's name and Rover profile link, the service cost, the refund amount you requested, Rover's response (if any), and copies of all communication including your cancellation confirmation email. CASE typically investigates within 4-6 weeks and can compel Rover to refund you if they find the trader acted unfairly.
Step 3: dispute the charge with your bank
If CASE's investigation is slow or unsuccessful, contact your bank or credit card company and request a chargeback. Provide them with your cancellation confirmation email, CASE case reference number (if available), and a written statement explaining why you cancelled and why Rover refused to refund. Banks typically resolve chargebacks within 10 business days, though Rover may contest it. Your cancellation confirmation email is crucial evidence here.
Yafee advises using this step only as a last resort, since excessive chargebacks can restrict your Rover account in future.
Keeping your Rover account active or closing it entirely
Cancelling a single booking does not close your Rover account-you remain registered and can book future services.
If you want to keep using Rover
After your cancellation is complete, your account remains active. You can browse new sitters, search for services, and make new bookings whenever you wish. Cancelled bookings do not damage your account rating or reputation with sitters (Rover does not share cancellation data with sitters in a way that penalises pet owners). Future sitters cannot see how many times you've cancelled, so feel free to rebook with confidence.
If you want to delete your Rover account
To close your Rover account permanently, open the app, tap your Profile icon (usually bottom right), scroll to Settings, and select Delete account. Rover will ask you to confirm and may offer you a discount to reconsider. If you proceed, your account is permanently deleted within 24 hours. You cannot recover it later, so download any booking records or sitter contact information you wish to keep before deleting.
Note: Deleting your account does not affect completed bookings or refunds already processed. Any pending refunds will still arrive in your bank account.
Checklist: before, during, and after cancellation
| Stage |
Action |
Deadline |
| Before cancelling |
Screenshot the sitter's cancellation policy and your booking confirmation |
Before you tap "Cancel booking" |
| Before cancelling |
Check the refund estimate Rover displays on the cancellation screen |
Before you confirm |
| During cancellation |
Tap "Cancel booking" in the app or website; confirm your reason |
As soon as you decide to cancel |
| After cancellation |
Forward your cancellation confirmation email to yourself or save it |
Immediately after you receive it |
| After cancellation |
Check your Rover app for "Refund status: Completed" within 7 business days |
Within 7 business days |
| After cancellation |
If refund doesn't appear, contact Rover support or file a CASE complaint |
After day 7 if no refund is visible |
Reviews and ratings after cancellation
Cancelling a booking does not require you to leave a review. If you choose to, your review is optional and visible only to other pet owners considering the sitter-it doesn't affect your account or future bookings.
Should you review after a cancellation?
If you cancelled because the sitter was unresponsive or unprofessional before the service began, you can leave a public review explaining why. Rover allows reviews of sitters even if no service was delivered, provided the cancellation happened due to sitter behaviour (not your own schedule change). Keep your review factual, concise, and fair-avoid insulting language, which Rover may remove.
Can the sitter review you?
Sitters cannot leave reviews of pet owners if a booking is cancelled before service begins. They can leave reviews only after completing a service. This protects pet owners from unfair retaliation if a sitter is unhappy about a cancellation. Yafee notes that this policy means your cancellation history remains private between you and Rover.
Common questions answered
Can i cancel after the service has started?
Technically, you can notify Rover that the service is not meeting your expectations while it's ongoing, but you cannot cancel and receive a refund simply because you changed your mind. You can claim a refund only if the sitter fails to deliver the promised service (for example, if they did not show up, were late by more than 15 minutes, or neglected your pet). File a claim through the Rover Guarantee program within 24 hours of the service, with evidence (e.g., photos, vet records, or witness statements).
What if the sitter cancels on me?
If your sitter cancels, Rover automatically refunds your full payment to your original payment method within 24 hours. You'll receive a notification and an email. You then have priority to rebook with another sitter for the same date and time, and Rover often waives the booking fee for the replacement booking if you act within 48 hours.
Can i modify a booking instead of cancelling?
Yes. Tap your booking, select Modify booking, and choose to change the date, time, or sitter. Rover charges no modification fee, and your payment adjusts based on the new booking date. This is often better than cancelling if you're simply reschedule, since you keep your preferred sitter and avoid refund delays.
What if Rover charges me a hidden fee i didn't agree to?
Document the charge with screenshots, contact Rover support immediately, and refer to the Consumer Protection (Fair Trading) Act-traders cannot impose fees that are not clearly disclosed in writing before you confirm payment. Yafee advises filing a CASE complaint if Rover does not refund the fee within 7 days, since hidden charges are unfair trading practices.
Understanding how Rover's cancellation policy compares to competitors helps you choose the platform that best suits your needs.
| Platform |
Free cancellation window |
Refund for cancellations within notice period |
Platform fees retained on cancellation |
| Rover |
Varies by sitter (24-72 hours) |
50-100% depending on timing and sitter policy |
Yes (11-20% retained) |
| Care.com |
24 hours |
Full refund of sitter charge |
Yes (booking fee retained) |
| Pawshake |
48 hours |
Full refund of sitter charge |
Yes (service fee retained) |
| Local private sitter |
Varies (agreement-dependent) |
Varies (agreement-dependent) |
No platform fees exist |
Rover's cancellation policy is middle-of-the-road: it offers flexibility but does not refund platform fees. If cancellation risk is high, consider platforms with longer free cancellation windows or booking independent sitters who negotiate custom terms directly with you.
If your cancellation or refund dispute escalates beyond Rover's support team, use these official channels to lodge a formal complaint and enforce your consumer rights.
Contact rover's singapore support team
Email: [email protected]
Phone: Rover does not publish a direct phone number for Singapore, but you can request a callback via the app's Help section.
Website complaint form: rover.com/help (select "Contact us" and "Refund dispute")
Response time: 4-24 hours
Contact the consumers association of singapore (CASE)
Address: 170 Clemenceau Avenue, Singapore 239922
Phone: +65 6100 0315
Email: [email protected]
Website: case.org.sg
Complaint process: File online or in person; CASE investigates free of charge and typically responds within 4-6 weeks
Contact the monetary authority of singapore (MAS) if applicable
If your dispute involves payment processing errors or suspicious charges, escalate to the MAS Financial Consumer Unit at +65 6225 5000 or [email protected]. MAS oversees digital payment platforms and can force Rover to correct billing errors.
Yafee helps thousands of consumers navigate these processes. If you've exhausted Rover's support and need guidance filing a formal complaint, Yafee's legal resources can walk you through each step, ensuring your case meets CASE's evidence requirements and maximising your chances of a successful resolution.
Final checklist: am i ready to cancel?
Before you tap the "Cancel booking" button, confirm these final points to avoid regret or delay.
- Have you screenshotted the sitter's cancellation policy and your booking confirmation?
- Do you understand the refund amount Rover will calculate (shown on the cancellation screen)?
- Have you checked Rover's predicted refund timeline-does it suit your needs?
- Have you messaged the sitter first if the cancellation reason is solvable (e.g., a date conflict)?
- Are you aware that cancelling less than 24 hours before the service may result in zero refund?
- If you're cancelling because of a defective service, have you documented the issue with photos or notes?
- Do you know CASE's contact details in case you need to escalate after cancellation?
If you've answered "yes" to most of these questions, you're ready to cancel confidently. Tap the Cancel booking button, follow the on-screen prompts, and forward your confirmation email to yourself. Your refund will arrive within 3-7 business days.
Summary: the complete cancellation process
Cancelling your Rover pet-sitting booking is a straightforward process governed by Singapore's Consumer Protection (Fair Trading) Act. You have the right to cancel before the service begins and receive a refund of your sitter's charge, though Rover's platform fees (11-20%) are typically non-refundable. Most cancellations within 48 hours of booking return 50-100% of your sitter's cost; cancellations closer to service time may result in reduced refunds or zero return, depending on the sitter's stated policy.
Use the Rover app or website to cancel in under two minutes. You'll receive a confirmation email immediately, and your refund will post to your bank account within 3-7 business days. If Rover refuses a valid refund, contact their support team with evidence, then escalate to CASE if necessary.
Yafee has helped thousands of consumers cancel pet-care bookings, navigate refund disputes, and understand their rights under consumer law. Whether you're cancelling due to a schedule change, pet illness, or service quality concerns, Yafee's legal guides ensure you act with confidence and protect your money. Visit Yafee today to access free resources on cancellation procedures, consumer rights, and complaint escalation for any service or subscription in Singapore.