by Linda L. Esterson, photography by Nikola Tzenov
For about two decades, Judy Hochman and her husband, Steve, rarely vacationed together. “We used to have 20 horses, and [watching them] is not something you could push off on a neighbor’s kid,” she explains.
Hochman’s sister and brother-in-law helped out for a time, but traveling an hour each way, multiple times a day, to the eight-acre Westminster farm proved difficult. They fed the animals through the fence, but the horses grew older over time and required medical care and regular feedings. In addition, aging cats required injections, and one had a wound that needed bandage changes. The chickens spent the day in the field but needed to be led inside overnight.
The Hochmans’ situation underscores an essential question for pet owners: What happens to your animals when you want to go away to enjoy the trip of a lifetime?
Pet Sitters at Your Service
Two years ago, the Hochmans discovered Take the Lead, a Westminster-based pet care services provider with experience caring for all types of animals, including horses, chickens and cats. Owner Andrea Smith administers the morning medication, changes bandages and feeds the Hochmans’ 10 cats, two horses, and eight chickens. She also cleans litter boxes, grabs the mail and waters the plants. Hochman’s sister stops by in the evening.
“There’s certainly peace of mind with Andrea,” Hochman notes. “I know she’s going to show up. I know she’s competent and knows how to take care of them.” Smith remains connected with the Hochmans throughout their vacation, sending pictures of the animals each day. “They love her. That, to me, is the most important thing,” Hochman explains. “Even the shy ones love her. I remember the first time she came here, this horse walked right up to her and let her pet her. And then the cats [who] have a way of disappearing — stranger danger — and they just come up to her.”
Before Hochman and her husband make any vacation plans, they contact Andrea to ensure her availability. “If she says yes, we go ahead and buy the plane ticket. If she says no, we change our plans,” Hochman says.
A Vacation for the Pets
Pet sitters ensure that pets enjoy their vacations while their humans are away. Kim Kaszak, owner of Furry Tail Wedding & Pet Sitting, prioritizes fun for the pets she’s watching.
“Every day I’m with a dog, there’s always excitement,” she says. “I’ll go sledding with the dogs or roll down the hill. The neighbors think I’m crazy, but the dogs chase me, and we have fun.”
Last summer, Kaszak cared for a dog with a pool, and they cooled off after exercising and running around the yard. Smith, too, works to ensure the pets enjoy themselves. She offers 30- and 60-minute hikes for dogs and swimming and running in the woods for those who are active and need extra stimulation. She also provides farm visits of up to 90 minutes, where dogs can socialize with pigs, horses and chickens.
“We give them lots of opportunities for good smells and stimulation,” she notes. “It’s their time, and sniffing can relieve anxiety and be more tiring and stimulating versus physical exercise. We encourage our dogs to take the time to sniff… it’s like social media for dogs.”
Overnight Stays
While the Hochmans take advantage of drop-in services, others contract pet sitters for overnights while they are away. Kaszak offers overnight pet-sitting services in the area, both at the client’s residence and at her own home. She says about 90% of her clients have her stay at their residence, where the pet is most familiar and comfortable. She arrives for dinner, feeding the pets around 7 p.m., and remains through breakfast.
It’s also helpful for the sitters to be with old or frail animals so they can attend to them in an emergency. Both Smith and Kaszak have needed to provide extra care in situations that became serious until the owners could return, sleeping beside the dog on the floor or providing medication around the clock. Having someone in their home may prove easier and more cost-effective for families with multiple pets. Smith has clients with Amazon parrots, lizards and fish, in addition to dogs and cats.
Traditionally, dog owners have turned to kennels, which house many animals in individual spaces with runs. Misty Ridge Animal Resort and Boarding Kennel in New Windsor — located on a 40-acre farm with plenty of play areas, walking trails, ponds and wooded pathways — provides vacation accommodations for about 100 pets at any given time. According to kennel manager Corrie Groth, approximately 95% of the pets are dogs. One of the two dog buildings is designated for older and anxious guests so they can vacation in a quieter space. There’s also a separate Cat Condo building for felines and caged animals like birds, hamsters and guinea pigs.
Each kennel building has picture windows, climate control and air filtration systems. The individual animal areas are outfitted with cots, blankets, bedding and flow feeders, and the spaces are cleaned twice daily. Some kennels have cameras installed to enable owners to periodically check in on their pets. Clients come to Misty Ridge from as far as Pittsburgh, metropolitan Washington and Virginia. The kennel offers pickup and drop-off service and serves police dogs while their handlers are away on vacation or covering a special assignment.
Preparations for Their Stay
A common first step prior to the vacation is to review the provider’s licensure, insurance and experience; share the pets’ medical records and daily requirements and have a “meet and greet” with the sitter or at the kennel to make sure the arrangement is a good fit for all. “Some people bring their dogs here to walk around and look around just so they familiarize the smells,” Groth explains. “We encourage that. For us, it’s making the pet feel the most safe.” Kaszak recalls meeting a German Shepherd at his home, and he hesitated to let her inside.
“I wondered how I was supposed to come in and help this dog,” she says. “It needs to be a good fit, not only for the dog, but for the caregiver and owners as well.” If the dog is staying at the caregiver’s home, the dog should visit in advance to become familiar with the surroundings and determine whether he gets along with the animals there. Kaszak’s golden retriever Charlie and border collie Buddy also participate in the pre-visits to “make sure everyone gets along.” When she’s hosting clients, they often have the run of her home alongside Charlie and Buddy.
According to the American Veterinary Medical Association,
in 2024, 45.5% of U.S. households reported owning dogs and 32.1% owned cats. These percentages translate to nearly 90 million dogs and 74 million cats needing care when their owners head out of town without them. According to Grand View Research, the United States pet boarding and sitting industry includes more than 20,000 pet care facilities and 35,000 pet sitters, and the market is estimated to be worth $1.73 billion in 2024.
Pricing Options
Pet sitter fees vary based on the desired services. Drop-in visits range from $23 to $30 for a 30-minute time frame, and they include dog walking, changing the water, giving medicine, feeding and playtime. Some sitters, like Smith, offer add-ons, such as a 60-minute hike ($55 to $58) or a 120-minute hike ($75 to $78), including transportation. Fees for overnight care, which begin around dinner time and run through the morning, begin around $110. Depending on the sitter, additional visits throughout the day may incur other charges.
Kennels can be less costly per night unless multiple pets are involved or extra needs arise, such as medication dispensing, heating food and individualized playtime. Boarding charges are usually based on the pet’s weight. For pet owners, the cost is worth the peace of mind.
Smith poses this question: “How do you relax if you don’t think your baby at home is relaxing?”
