The concept of Petfully Yours originated in 1995 with the founder and President, Jane Budnick. She had been employed locally as a Veterinary Technician while working towards her Animal Behavior degree. Jane had many opportunities to observe dogs and cats being forced to leave home and be boarded when their owners left town for pleasure or business.

Some pets did fine, but the majority didn't fare as well as their owner expected. Many wouldn't eat normally and couldn't adjust to the constant noise of other dogs barking. Some would be so upset they would drool and throw themselves against the cage door. Some would be overcrowded during peak travel times. More often than not the pet owner would be told their pets did "just fine" regardless of their experience. Occasionally due to the stress and exposure a pet would come home sick resulting in an expensive and lengthy recovery period.

She researched the options, which were poor at that time in the St. Louis area. Pet Sitting was generally provided by the kid next door or a retired person wanting to make a little extra money. There was no reputable Professional Service in her local West St. Louis County. Many pet owners felt that a kennel was their only option.

She began in the mid 90s testing the market by providing limited services to clients that received their medical care in the clinics where she worked. They were so appreciative of her services she began to add more options. In the beginning of 1997 she formally opened her doors as Jane’s Pet Sitting.

With her experience and her association with local veterinarians she quickly got too busy for a one-person operation. She began to search for other qualified pet-lovers in 1998. At that time the name of the business was changed to Petfully Yours which had been the postscript to all of her pet sitting letters in the past.

Petfully Yours is now part of 4-Legged Kids, Inc., a Missouri Corporation which also provides pet containment and products for the entire St. Louis region.

Our goal is to provide Premium Customized services at prices you’ll wag YOUR tail about!

What is an Accredited Pet Sitter?*

What is an "Accredited Pet Sitter?" PSI's Accreditation Program is an in-depth educational coursework that has been tailored exclusively for pet sitters. The curriculum includes topics on Pet Care, Health & Nutrition, Additional Services and Business & Office Procedures. The coursework was developed with input from the most knowledgeable professionals in the pet-care industry.

What You Get with a PSI Accredited Pet Sitter: When you engage the services of a PSI Accredited Pet Sitter, you are also gaining the in-depth knowledge and skills she or he has mastered about caring for companion animals of all kinds. This program was developed by PSI exclusively for its members. The coursework was designed to promote high industry standards and provide a continuing education curriculum to keep accredited pet sitters at the forefront of modern pet-care practices. The Accreditation Program is designed to provide a complete and well-rounded educational experience for a professional pet sitter. To become accredited, the pet sitter must master and exhibit a working knowledge of caring for pets of all species and know how to run an efficient, effective business model.

You can rest assured your pet sitter has been rigorously tested on companion animal care—and passed all tests—when you see the mark of a PSI Accredited Pet Sitter.

* information from Pet Sitters International website

If you are trying to decide what option is best for your pet when you travel consider this: we tell pet owners to closely observe their pet after a boarding experience. If they are worn out and sleep an abnormal amount for the first few days home or follow the family around constantly perhaps their stay really wasn't "just fine". If they have difficulty getting back to their regular mealtime and elimination patterns they have experienced an overload of stress on their normal schedule. Any of the illnesses common in a boarding facility can be more than an inconvenience.

At Petfully Yours your pet will experience the closest thing to their normal routine. They will be fed their own food around the schedule you choose. They will receive their normal walks and playtimes. They will be able to sleep in their favorite places. They will also not have the exposure risk to disease. They will greet you at the door when you arrive home relaxed and happy after their own "vacation"!"