Today we’d like to introduce you to Mia Horton.
Hi Mia, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I grew up in the DMV and studied Operations Research and Information Engineering at Cornell University. I’ve had multiple dogs in my household for my entire life but I’ve always loved all pets.
Once I graduated, I joined a Big 4 consulting firm. I had no idea what I wanted to do long-term and I figured a flexible industry like consulting would give me the ability to project hop instead of job hopping. After working in consulting for 3 years, I was blindsided by a layoff. I applied for every job under the sun and tried different side hustles and gig work. I tried different pet sitting apps and slowly started building a client base of regulars.
As the glowing reviews started rolling in for my pet walking and sitting services, I realized there was a real opportunity to branch out on my own. I started my own company, Mia’s Pampered Pets in October of 2025. Now almost a year in, I still feel excited to see my pets each day and they never fail to put a smile on my face. I’ve already pampered about 100 pets and every single client has returned at least once! As someone who’s had bad experiences with sitters for my own pets, I pride myself on being the pet sitter I would want for my own pets.
I have already grown so much in my first year – I have experience with pets who have special needs, are anxious, reactive, you name it, I’ve done it! I’d say the most rewarding part of the job is seeing the bond with my pets grow stronger with each visit. For instance, one of my first regulars is a pug named Nari (short for Naranja). When I first started walking him, he would sprint across the apartment when I entered – he was absolutely terrified! Now he gets so excited to see me he’ll jump right into my lap. It’s also been a pleasure getting to know pet parents better. I get to meet all types of people and it’s an honor to be trusted with their babies.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I’ve definitely hit a few bumps along the way putting all the pieces together – invoicing, website design, and marketing, etc. I figured running a business would be tough but it wasn’t until I was fully in it that I realized how many moving parts there are. Additionally, in a business that’s heavily affected by travel seasons, slower seasons can be particularly challenging. Funnily enough, my first busy season has also been challenging in that it’s been tricky to find balance. There have been days when I have 10+ visits and an overnight stay that’s functioning as my “home base.” I’m really lucky that I can lean on my fiancee holding down the fort at home and she has been wholeheartedly supportive.
One of the biggest struggles has been the emotional toll when pet clients crossed the rainbow bridge. It has only happened twice and the pets had lived full lives (13 and 14 years old), but it broke my heart each time. I still think of them often and am happy I had the opportunity to know them. Unfortunately pet loss is part of having pets, but it never gets any easier. I do what I can to support their parents (checking in, gifting a remembrance candle and pet portrait).
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Mia’s Pampered Pets?
I’m a DMV-based pet caregiver who doesn’t just watch pets, I pamper them! I offer walks, drop-in visits, overnight sitting, and pet taxi services. I go above and beyond for all of my pet clients and treat them like my own. This means each pet I care for gets homemade treats, a personalized report card, and even custom stickers of their photos!
I’m working towards shipping and selling my homemade treats at farmer’s markets and offering wedding chaperone services so people can include their fur babies in their big day.
What sets me apart from other pet sitters is how deeply I care for my pet clients – a common theme in my reviews. I do little things that some people might think are silly like talking to my pets and putting jazz or classical music on for them when I leave the house. For me, my pets aren’t just a checkbox on my to-do list or a paycheck. What I’m most proud of is the relationships I’ve been able to build with pets and their parents.
Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
I’ve been able to play music by ear since I was a kid! I took piano lessons in elementary school but I switched to playing violin in middle school and high school. I’ve always been able to play simple tunes on pretty much any instrument I picked up.
Fast forward to after graduating college, I had been dating my fiancee for a couple of years and wanted to think of a creative way to propose to her. I restarted piano lessons after over a decade so I could learn to play her favorite song as a proposal surprise!
Pricing:
- 20 minute drop-in/walk: $25.00
- 30 minute drop-in/walk: $30.00
- 45 minute drop-in/walk: $40.00
- 60 minute drop-in/walk: $55.00
- Classic Overnight: $125.00
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.MiasPamperedPets.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/miaspamperedpets
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@miaspamperedpets
