what is take the lead?
Take the Lead was established in 2019 by Andrea Smith due to an increasing need for pet care services in the Carroll County, Maryland area. Take the Lead cares for cats and dogs, as well as small mammals, reptiles, fish, birds, amphibians and farm animals. We are available to take care of your pets twenty-four hours a day seven days a week including holidays regardless of the weather. We offer a wide variety of services including check in visits, walks, hikes, overnight and special event packages. Take the Lead provides a follow-up immediately after each service which includes information about how the service went, where the pet was walked, photographs, etc. so there are never any questions about how your pets are doing. In addition to Andrea, there are four Take the Lead employees that assist in taking care of pets and all of us are Pet CPR certified. Take the Lead is insured so that you, your pets, and your home are protected. We currently service approximately 110 clients. If you have a question or are interested in joining our team, please fill out an online contact form.
TESTIMONIALS
“Andrea Smith has “the magic,” that wonderful empathy between humans and dogs. For my dog Charlie, a hundred-pound reactive lunging barking crazy rescue dog, it was love with Andrea at first sight. On two different occasions Andrea has stayed in my house for three weeks at a time taking care of my dog Charlie. My dog is happy and relaxed when she’s with Andrea, she’s less fearful and more playful. I am beyond grateful to have had my precious canine baby in the care of Andrea. Andrea is dependable, helpful, concerned and more. I am very grateful that our paths have crossed and cannot find adequate words to recommend her highly enough.”
-Iris S.
CHARLIE
"Andrea and her ladies Shelby and Joann take wonderful care of my dogs. She takes them on daily walks, has administered medication, and fed them! Her updates after walks or check in really keep my mind at ease that my pets are well. Just this month, my older dog had gone downhill and I asked Andrea to check on him. She came and sat with my poor boy for 3 hours with him on her lap until I could get home. She texted me his status and gave advice. He later crossed the rainbow bridge and I'm glad Andrea was there to ease his anxiety before I got home. Take the Lead is a gem of a service! My pups and I are lucky to have her!"
-Debra L.
"I love Take the Lead more importantly my pets love Take the Lead! From the bi-weekly walks (my dog knows when their car drives up) to sitting for my chickens, cats, dog and horses when I'm out of the country, I couldn't dream of better care for everyone. I know with confidence that everyone is well taken care of. No one there is ever allowed to retire. I'd be lost without them!"
-Lola D.
SCARLET
"We've been using Take the Lead for a few years now & have always been really happy with them. This time - all I can say is a tearful WOW! Andrea is an absolute ANGEL walking amongst us!!! We went on vacation to OC - she came to take care of the usual for our cats & bunny. Andrea alerted us a few days in that our bunny was not drinking enough water in her opinion. Long story short, his on-again/off-again ear troubles (he's an elderly lop-ear) had become a serious ear infection. When his normal vet said they were too booked/understaffed to take him, Andrea drove him to the nearest vet that would work on a bunny - 40 minutes away! She not only stayed with him, conferred with the vet, got all his meds, but she took him home with her! (Disclaimer: he was pretty sick so I'm sure this is not the norm). We still have our bunny because of Andrea! This isn't just a business to her - she truly loves animals. When I spoke to the vet on the phone concerning our bunny's treatment, she mentioned how knowledgeable she found Andrea to be & how she thought he would be in good hands until we got back. She was absolutely right! There's not enough praise, gratitude & admiration I can heap on Andrea and Take the Lead. Hands down, the best folks to call if you can't take a pet with you in a trip. (Oh, and their rates are really budget friendly). A+++ / 5 STARS!"
-Margaret C.
Mo
PENNY
