Michelle Hilaire, owner of 4 Pet’s Sake Pet Care in La Plata, stands among five national finalists for Pet Sitters International’s 2026 Pet Sitter of the Year Award, the top recognition in the professional pet care field.
Pet Sitters International, founded in 1994 as the largest educational group for pet sitters and dog walkers, named the finalists after reviewing nominations based on references, care standards and community roles. The other contenders include MiKayla Anders of Adventures in Pet Sitting in Salina, Kansas; Cynthia Hess of Your Fairy Catmother in Temple, Pennsylvania; Amy Munns of Leash4Lease Inc. in Poulsbo, Washington; and Maris Sonnabend of House of Paws Pet Care in Eureka, Missouri.
Hilaire’s business, started in 2003, provides in-home services across Southern Maryland and the DMV area, including dog walks, cat visits, overnight boarding and small animal care. Clients book through an online dashboard for scheduling, payments and daily photo reports. The firm holds insurance and bonding, with staff handling medications and home checks during visits.
The finalists now submit records on operations, training, marketing and background checks for final review. The winner receives the honor in January 2026, following a process that weighs client testimonials, professional endorsements and education pursuits.
“The 2026 Pet Sitter of the Year will represent the professionalism, pet-care expertise and commitment to excellence that continue to elevate the pet-sitting industry worldwide,” said PSI President Beth Stultz-Hairston. “These top finalists not only excel in pet care and business operations, but they also model the ethical, compassionate practices that set professional pet-care businesses apart.”
“Selecting only one winner for this honor will not be an easy task,” she added.
Since its start in 1995, the award has highlighted one owner yearly for upholding high standards amid a field that serves millions of U.S. pets. Past recipients include Bobbi Wilson of Peace Love Paws Pet Sitters in Columbia, Missouri, for 2024, and Jessica Milam in 2025. Judges prioritize consistent quality, such as tailored exercise for high-energy dogs or litter maintenance for cats, alongside broader impacts like local volunteering.
In Charles County, where La Plata serves as the seat, pet ownership runs high among the 170,000 residents, with services like Hilaire’s filling gaps for travelers near the Potomac River or commuters to Washington. Her firm offers 15- to 60-minute visits, including puppy housebreaking and senior potty breaks, plus concierge transport for vet trips. Overnight stays occur in licensed staff homes with yards and toys, accommodating birds, lizards and guinea pigs.
Hilaire, who also runs Forage Dog Barkery at 6 St. Mary’s Avenue in La Plata — the area’s first natural dog treat shop — brings a varied background to pet care. Testimonials on the business site praise responses to emergencies, such as last-minute bookings during hospital stays or family labors, building referrals in communities from Waldorf to Nanjemoy.
The company earned “Best of the Bushel” votes in 2024, plus nods from Washingtonian Magazine for best pet care and Southern Maryland News for sitting and boarding. These align with PSI criteria, which require proof of ongoing training, like handling developmental needs in pets or de-escalation during anxious behaviors.
Pet Sitters International supports over 3,000 members through webinars, certifications and conferences, such as the 2026 event November 6-8 in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The group promotes ethical practices, including clear contracts and emergency protocols, to distinguish pros from informal caregivers.
For Southern Maryland pet owners, such standards matter in a region where rural spots like Port Tobacco limit options, and urban edges near Joint Base Andrews demand flexible scheduling. Businesses like 4 Pet’s Sake use apps for real-time updates, reducing worries for clients at landmarks from Calvert Cliffs to Chesapeake Beach.
The award underscores growth in the $2.5 billion U.S. pet sitting sector, driven by 70 percent of households owning animals and rising travel post-pandemic. In Maryland, state laws require bonding for commercial sitters, with counties like Charles enforcing health checks for boarding.
Hilaire’s nomination reflects these trends, as her team manages diverse needs, from medication dosing to play sessions that mimic home routines. Community ties show in endorsements from local groups, though specifics remain under review.
Pet Sitters International traces to founder Patti J. Moran’s 1994 book “Pet Sitting for Profit,” evolving into a resource for standards amid expanding demand. Early awards focused on urban innovators; today, they span rural and suburban pros, adapting to hybrid work that boosts midday walks.
In La Plata, where Hilaire’s barkery stocks treats from pumpkin bites to salmon chews, the dual ventures highlight integrated care. Owners book combined services, like a morning walk followed by bakery pickups, easing logistics for busy families.
The January reveal will cap months of evaluations, ensuring the honoree advances PSI’s mission of safe, skilled care. For now, the finalists embody that drive, from Kansas plains to Potomac shores.
