Partner Spotlight: a paid placement by a neighborhood business, not editorial coverage.
Anna Agisilaou lost her mother three years ago. She and Terrell Torian now spend their days looking after other people's animals, including the old and the sick ones. Their line about it: their lives are short, but our love is long.
For Terrell Torian and Anna Agisilaou, caring for animals is more than a business. It is deeply personal, and Anna is direct about why.
"After multiple tragic losses, Terrell and I have found healing in animals," she says. She lost her mother three years ago.
"Although I question every decision I make without my mom's guidance," she says, "I know that showing up for anything living is one thing I find passion in that simultaneously honors her and how she lived her life."
Although they grew up in different parts of Kentucky, their paths eventually led them to Charlotte after reconnecting later in life. Anna spent a decade as an entrepreneur in Dallas before moving to Charlotte in 2023, while Terrell's career took him to cities across the country through work and basketball. Today they share not only a home and family, but a passion for providing exceptional care through their pet care business, Whisker Watchers.
Whisker Watchers officially launched nearly two years ago and has since grown into the couple's full-time business. That sense of purpose shapes every interaction with both pets and their owners.
Whisker Watchers offers pet sitting, daily drop-in visits, dog walking, medication administration, waste cleanup, companionship, playtime and regular photo and video updates while families are away. Their clients include dogs, cats, fish and even bearded dragons. They also have extensive experience caring for senior pets, animals with medical needs and handicapped pets that require extra patience and attention.
The business's own listing in the same issue says it serves the greater Charlotte area.
What they say sets them apart is a belief that every pet deserves individualized care.
"We know every pet has its own routine, personality and preferences," Anna says. "Pets are not robots, and our care isn't either."
Rather than offering a one-size-fits-all approach, they tailor every visit to fit each animal's schedule, personality and comfort level. They include thoughtful extras during visits at no additional charge, and make it a priority to keep owners connected through daily updates, photos and videos.
The couple has accumulated plenty of memorable stories along the way, from unexpected baths after muddy walks to solving last-minute challenges for traveling pet owners. They laugh that many of their favorite stories revolve around simply being flexible and finding creative solutions when pets, or life, throw a curveball.
They have also learned that successful pet care goes beyond feeding schedules and walks. Some pets need reassurance. Others need extra playtime. Some simply need someone willing to sit on the floor with them until they feel comfortable.
"We've laid down on the floor with them and given them positive words of affirmation," Anna says with a laugh. "Every single animal has different needs. We take pride in figuring them out."
That level of compassion extends to their clients as well. One of the most rewarding aspects of the business, they say, is watching relationships grow over time. Conversations that begin with feeding instructions eventually evolve into sharing funny videos, exchanging stories and celebrating the unique personalities of beloved pets.
For families looking for a pet caregiver, Anna recommends choosing someone who takes the time to truly know your pet.
"Look for a committed caregiver who invests in getting to know your pet's personality," she says. "Attention to detail makes all the difference."
When they are not caring for four-legged and occasionally scaly clients, Anna and Terrell enjoy exploring farmers markets, browsing estate sales, trying new restaurants and, in Terrell's case, watching plenty of basketball.
At the end of the day, their mission is simple: provide the kind of loving, dependable care they would want for their own pets. After all, as they like to say, "Their lives are short, but our love is long."
For more information, call 270-925-2838.
By Content Coordinator Delia McMullen. Photos by Charisma at a Brew & You Headshots.
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This partner spotlight appears in the September 2026 issue of Stroll Firethorne. Read the full edition here.