Meet The Pack Leader Carly
It all started when…
My journey began at a young age in the neighborhood of Colonial Hills—somewhere between seven and eight years old—when I was busy playing “restaurant” with construction paper menus and dreaming up ways to turn my passions into a business. At the heart of it all was my love for animals. I rode horses, imagined elaborate pet worlds, and jumped at any chance to care for a neighbor’s dog or cat.
At age 8, I started my first business: Carly’s Pet Care. I printed and handed out flyers throughout the neighborhood offering dog visits, fish feeding, and kitty cuddles. My mom often came with me, adding an extra layer of care—and giving me a peek into the world of managing homes and client trust. The prices may have started at $2 per dog, but my drive to build something meaningful never changed.
In high school and college, I continued offering pet care for neighbors and family friends. But it was during one college summer that the idea fully took root: I could actually turn this into something bigger. What started as a handful of clients soon grew to over 40 homes that summer alone. As demand grew, I brought on my sisters, roommates, and trusted friends to help—and year after year, we built something incredible.
Happy Tails Pet Care began with a focus on in-home pet sitting, but our story quickly evolved. As more clients sought consistent, reliable help during their workdays, we expanded our offerings and became known for dog walking services across Worthington, Westerville, New Albany, Dublin, and the greater Columbus area.
Over time, we’ve become a leading dog walking company in Columbus, proudly serving busy professionals, energetic young dogs, and sweet senior pups who thrive on routine. Most of our clients first joined us for daily dog walking—and quickly came to appreciate the exclusive access they gained to our trusted team for travel care and in-home sitting. This unique model, built around relationships and consistency, has become the heart of our service.
We’ve grown to include over 900 client homes, a dedicated team of sitters, and acquired two local pet care businesses along the way. While I’ve stepped away from day-to-day pet care, my heart is still in this business—and in building systems, teams, and relationships that allow Happy Tails to continue delivering the same quality of care we always have.
Outside of Happy Tails, I founded two more businesses that bring me deep fulfillment:
Happy Trail Adventures, where I help women gain confidence in the outdoors through backpacking workshops, book clubs, alumni trips, and trail adventures. With thousands of solo trail miles under my belt—including the Pacific Crest Trail, Colorado Trail, and Vermont’s Long Trail—I’m passionate about helping more women find their footing (and freedom) on the trail.
Happy Homes, my real estate venture. As a licensed REALTOR® with Howard Hanna Real Estate Services, I work with clients—many of whom I first met through Happy Tails—to buy and sell homes in the Columbus area.
Each of these paths may look different, but they’re all rooted in the same mission: to serve others well, provide meaningful value, and build lasting relationships. Whether I’m helping you care for your pet, find your dream home, or explore the outdoors—I feel deeply honored to be part of your journey.
Feel free to follow me on social media or reach out—I’d love to connect with you!
With warmth and gratitude,
Carly Burpee
