Business Details
7 Years
experience
Emergency
services
Your Trusted 24/7 Pet Care Partner in Maryland
Take The Lead Pet Services was founded in 2019 by Andrea Smith, a former veterinary assistant with over five years of experience in animal care. Our team of certified pet caretakers provides 24/7 personalized services for dogs, cats, small mammals, reptiles, and farm animals across Carroll County, Maryland. We prioritize individualized care, offering detailed post-service updates including photos and route tracking. Our insured team ensures pets receive tailored attention while maintaining strict safety protocols.With a focus on empathy and expertise, we serve approximately 110 clients annually, emphasizing transparent communication and emergency preparedness. Our commitment to continuous improvement is reflected in our flexible scheduling, specialized training, and dedication to animal welfare. Client testimonials consistently highlight our reliability, compassion, and exceptional service quality.
Services
Dog Walks
Overnight Stays
Farm Animal Care
Pet Check-ins
Dog Hikes
Special Event Services
Medication Administration
Pet Transportation
Emergency Care
Customized Care Plans
Details
- Year established: 2019
Highlights and features
- 24/7 availability with emergency response capability
- Pet CPR certified caretakers with veterinary experience
- Detailed post-service updates with photos and tracking
- Specialized care for exotic and farm animals
- Flexible scheduling with guaranteed reliability
Associations and certifications
- Pet Care Insurance
What people say
Loves the care
Excellent service
Reliable caretakers
Peace of mind
Personalized attention
Services
Dog Walks
30-60 minute leashed walks with route customization and waste disposal. Includes water checks, package retrieval, and real-time updates with route maps. Our 'quality over quantity' approach prioritizes mental stimulation through sniffing opportunities while maintaining safety protocols.
Overnight Stays
12-hour overnight care with multiple bathroom breaks and play sessions. Includes medication administration, home security checks, and twice-daily updates. Requires advance booking due to high demand and insurance-mandated three-daily visits for extended absences.
Farm Visits
60-90 minute specialized care for horses, goats, chickens, and other farm animals. Services include feeding, habitat cleaning, and health monitoring. Combines veterinary expertise with practical experience for comprehensive livestock management and companion animal care.
Special Events
3-5 hour event packages with pet transportation and supervision. Includes costume assistance, pre-event exercise, and photo documentation. Offers flexible scheduling for weddings, parties, and photo shoots within a 20-mile radius of Westminster.
Meet & Greet
Free 30-minute home consultation for care planning. Involves pet introduction, routine discussion, and safety protocol review. Required before service initiation to ensure personalized care matching each pet's specific needs and behavioral patterns.
People
Andrea Smith
Owner
Veterinary professional with 5+ years experience, BBA in Hospitality Management. Founded Take The Lead Pet Services in 2019 after career transition. Specializes in animal behavior and emergency care, with non-profit leadership background.
Joann Welsh
Pet Caretaker
62-year-old caretaker with decades of pet ownership experience. Rescued multiple animals, including a mixed-breed dog named Deacon. Brings extensive practical knowledge of pet behavior and care routines.
Shelby Smith
Pet Caretaker
29-year-old aspiring veterinary technician with lifelong animal care experience. Specializes in stray animal rehabilitation and early socialization training for young pets.
Maddie Sluder
Pet Caretaker
20-year-old animal care professional with three years kennel experience. Currently pursuing animal-related career while managing multiple rescue pets including rabbits and kittens.
Kyah Martin
Pet Caretaker
20-year-old caretaker with veterinary reception experience. Focused on special needs pet care, particularly three-legged animals. Combines professional expertise with personal experience fostering pitbull rescues.
Questions
How do I schedule initial services with Take the Lead?
Contact us through our website's contact tab to submit an inquiry with your pet details and service requirements. We'll schedule a free 30-minute Meet & Greet to create a personalized care plan.
What payment methods do you accept?
We accept cash, check, credit card, PayPal, Venmo, and bank transfers. Payment options are available through emailed invoices or in-home arrangements for physical payments.
Are your services available during holidays and emergencies?
Yes, we provide 24/7 service including holidays with a $5 surcharge for federal holidays and late-night visits after 8 PM. Emergency care follows established protocols with client communication.
How do you handle pets with special behavioral needs?
Our team adapts to each pet's unique requirements, including reactive dogs. We implement individualized approaches while maintaining safety protocols to ensure positive care experiences for all animals.
What service areas do you cover?
We operate within an 8-mile radius of Westminster, MD for regular services, and extend to a 20-mile radius for special event packages.
How do you communicate service updates?
We use GroupMe for real-time updates with photos, route tracking, and care notes. Clients receive email invitations to join private groups for their pets' service documentation.
