I read somewhere that we can get a stable-hand to feed our pets for us, but I can't find an option to buy one. Can someone please explain exactly what it is before I spend whatever I have to spend to get one and where I go to get one? Thank you.

I believe you click on the icon of your character's face to access the Stablehand Panel.
You won't get your first stablehand until you accomplish the requirement...which is getting 10k of AP or something.

Basically, it's an option to pay for your pets to be fed automatically for however long you wish, at a discounted rate per day. It's beneficial if you can afford it, and I'd recommend doing so if you play on a daily-weekly basis.
The first stablehand should be a lady (whose name escapes me), offers some sort of %-off on the cost to feed all your pets based on how many you have.

For the length of time, you can choose up to 2 weeks to pay in just gold -- after 2 weeks, it costs gold plus a few diamonds. So 2 weeks is usually the best option.

Okay, thanks. Need a bit more AP but at least now I know where to go.

No problem! I believe it's that you have to earn the AP, and there's no requirement to spend it. Good luck!