What we do is Pet Sitting...What we provide is Peace of Mind.
Home Our Staff
We care about your pets and property!
When you allow a pet sitter into your home you give them access to your most precious possessions. Because of this we run background checks on all of our employees. We use employees, not independent contractors so that we can always guarantee who will be servicing your pets.
What Do We Do?
Our Mission
Pet sitting while you are on vacation means we come to your home a specified number of times each day and feed, water, administer medications and play with or cuddle your pets.
You Go Pet Sitting's mission is to provide the customer with the finest Pet Sitting / Pet Care available and to provide peace of mind when we care for pets in the owner's absence. We exist to actively support the local shelter community. When we adhere to this maxim, everything else will fall into place. Our services will exceed the expectations of our customers.
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Meet Our Clients
"I just want to give thanks to You Go Pet Sitting. As a "single mom" parent (who unfortunately works a lot) to a young energetic dog- I am very grateful to have the service of Joni and her staff. It gives me peace of mind that someone cares about my dog as much as me! Joni is always available by phone or email and has gone the extra mile for me."
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Shelters
Resources
We want to assist you in finding quality information about pet ownership.
We constantly scan pet related articles so that we can share the most current information with you. We also work with other pet service companies and compile a list on this website to make it easy to find a product or service when you need it.
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You Go Pet Sitting supports local Shelters as part of our mission statement. Shelters provide a safe haven for neglected, abused, and abandoned pets. We, in Central Illinois, are lucky to have several no-kill shelters in the area that work hard to serve pets in this area.
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About About You Go Pet Sitting
Our Mission
You Go Pet Sitting's mission is to provide the customer with the finest Pet Sitting / Pet Care available and to provide peace of mind when we care for pets in the owner's absence. We exist to actively support the local shelter community. When we adhere to this maxim, everything else will fall into place. Our services will exceed the expectations of our customers.
You Go Pet Sitting is owned and operated by Joni Grant a long time resident of Springfield, Illinois. An avid dog and cat lover, she has 2 dogs, Jack and Tinker and 2 cats, Kitty and Kat. We take care of your pets just as if they were our own!
You Go Pet Sitting was founded in 2009 when I saw a need in Springfield for a professional pet sitting company. Having been a corporate executive who often traveled and worked long hours, I knew how much I depended on my pet sitter. Our pets aren't just "pets", they are members or our families. Worrying about them can take the fun out of any vacation or trip.
Having had our daughter's dog and family pet live to a ripe old age of 15 1/2, I also knew that some pets just can't tolerate boarding and I'm sure folks do what we did when Brownie was elderly. We stayed home. He would not have tolerated boarding in the last few years of his life and he needed someone responsible to check on him frequently as he had taken to falling on occasion.
Pet Sitting isn't a replacement for boarding, it is simply an alternative for your pet. Our tag line, "What we do is pet sitting....What we provide is peace of mind", is what we're all about. We will call or email you daily with the status of your pet(s) if that is what you need for a restful vacation. We take the worry planning around a kennel's hours of operation, worrying about your pet's happiness or wondering how long they will be mad at you when you get home. Vacations should be worry and stress free and knowing your pets are in their home environment, and are being loved and cared for can help make that happen.
Our goal is also to make multi-pet households easy to arrange care for. We take care of homes with dogs, cats, hampsters, ferrets and any other furry or scaled creature you may have. The only pets we won't provide service for are those that are aggressive or exotics. No lions, tigers, bears, or monkeys.
Playtime, dog walking, feeding, and litterbox cleaning are just a few of the services we offer. We'll also bring in your mail, turn lights off and on and water your plants. You 'll have a report card when you arrive home detailing each visit, what we did and the status of your pets. We will check your doors and windows at each visit and make sure your home is safe and secure and immediately notify you if anything is amiss.
We also offer daily dog walking or backyard playtime as well as lots of pets, cuddles and hugs. Imagine coming home from work to a pet who has had some exercise!
Services What's included?
What else should I know?
What do you do?
Free initial consultation!
Daily Services
Dog walking for leash trained dogs
Backyard playtime for dogs with fenced yard
Imagine coming home to a pet who has already had their daily walk or being able to go out with friends for a while after work because someone else has let the dog out.
Vacation Services
Pet sitting while you are on vacation means we come to your home a specified number of times each day and feed, water, administer medications and play with or cuddle your pets.
House Sitting with no pets means we water plants, bring in mail and newspaper, rotate lights and do whatever you request to make sure your house looks lived in while you are gone.
We do pet transportation to the vet or groomer so you can save that vacation time for an actual vacation.
Every visit is personalized to your needs. Our basic services are:
Minimums
Visits are structured around your preferences and can include either either walks or playtime outside for dogs and exercise for cats who love to play. We will follow the directions you provide to determine how you would like us to interact with your pet(s).
Daily Dog Walks
Dog walking can be once a day for however many days a week you choose. We have daily or weekly rates. Our daily visit can either be a walk or some fetch in the backyard if that's your preference.
Vacation Sits
We follow your instructions for feeding, provide fresh water at each visit, administer medications as instructed and provide love and companionship for your pet while you are gone.
Pet Transportation
Your pets will travel in pet crates when traveling in our care. We will drop off and pick up your pet from the groomer or stay with your pet at the vet.
Medications dispensed - including insulin injections
Petting, cuddling and hugging
Exercise or playtime
Feeding & Watering
Daily litter box cleaning
Plant watering
Pick up mail & newspaper
Lights on and off
Verify home is secure
How much do you charge?
For 3 or fewer pets:
$18 - $20 per visit depending on # of visits
For more than 3 pets:
$22 - $24 per visit depending on # of visits.
$85 / week for daily dog walking M-F 1 visit per day
Transportation services to Vet or Groomer - $25 charge, $6.25 per 15 minutes after the first hour.
Call for more info. Please note, we do not have add-on charges. These are our base prices and include all services above.
Our Staff 
Dave Taylor
Chris Strickland
Kate Hein
Joni Grant
I'm David Taylor I grew up in rural Pawnee Il. I graduated from Lincoln Land Community College with an Associates Degree in Elementary Education. I have been around and cared for dogs, cats, horses, reptiles, and fresh, and saltwater fish my entire life. I currently have two dogs Mac a black lab and Maggie a black lab mix. Mac is a registered therapy dog, and actively competes in K9 agility as well as AKC rally obedience. Maggie is still a puppy, but is learning fast from her big brother. I also have two cats George and Gracie, and two birds a Nanday Conure, Piper, and a cockatiel Huey. Two saltwater tanks, a fresh water tank and a 500+ gallon out door pond.
Hi, I'm Joni and I'm the owner of You Go Pet Sitting. I retired from a corporate job to live my dream and spend my day with pets of all shapes and sizes. I grew up just south of Springfield and have lived in Springfield proper since 1990. I'm dedicated to providing the highest level of pet sitting services and to supporting our local shelter community. Although I "only" have dogs and cats now, as a young pup I spent a lot of time caring for and showing horses. We also had a cow, sheep, goats, and a burro. Life was never boring at our house!
Kate has a BS from Southern Illinois University (Carbondale), MLS, Bradley University (Peoria), and additional post graduate hours and business education. She has had a successful business career and is now actively retired. Her interests include dogs, cats, church, missions, racquetball and reading. When she's not petsitting she's transporting rescued dogs and cats. She and two of her six dogs have been to obedience class; she enjoys being with her own pets and those loved by others. Her husband and she have resided in Rochester's countryside for 15 years.
Chris is the lead trainer at PetSmart in Springfield. Shes been active with animals her whole life. Chris has dealt with all kinds of animals including reptiles, birds, fish, small animals ,dogs and cats.
Chris has a bachelors degree in Animal Science from U of I and has previously worked for Purina at the nutrition research facility in Grey Summit outside of St. Louis. Her passion for animals led her to become a trainer at PetSmart and now shes a member of the You Go Pet Sitting team.
Chris currently has one dog, Hunny , a Corgi-Shelty mix and 3 cats, Marissa (16 year old Calico), Roo-Roo (3 year old Siamese mix), and Hoshie (1 year old Siamese Mix).
Shelters Shelters & Rescues
Feel free to follow the links below for local shelters. Please check their event pages often for new information and happenings in our community.
Forever Home Feline Ranch
Animal Protective League
Illinois Humane
The Forever Home Feline Ranch is an organization that hopes to end euthanasia as a means to control cat populations. While we offer cat adoptions of some of our animals, we really are a sanctuary where some cats will live out their natural lives. We also help people to keep their companion pets at home by offering a Pet Food Program and Veterinarian Assistance Program.
We are committed to caring for sick, injured, abused and abandoned dogs and cats ... and finding the best possible permanent homes for them. There are several different links on different pages which will aid you in learning more about our awesome adoptable animals ...
Please join our growing family of concerned animal advocates. We are successfully reaching out to many community members who care deeply about animals. They are stepping forward, and lending their skills and resources to this important cause. We are very excited about our new focus, and very truly hope to hear from you
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Quincy K-9 Connection
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Every Saturday morning, south side of Meijer's in Springfield, around 8 a.m. there's hustling and bustling going on with people unloading dogs and cats from a van or two, exercising most of the dogs, loading crated animals into their own vehicles and driving away. What is that all about? It is the Animal Rescue Transport "relay" team. The dogs and cats are being handed off at the first stop, having started out in Quincy earlier and reaching their new homes, fosters or rescue organizations by the end of the day. The drivers transport for "one leg" of the journey, making certain the animals have a safe trip, get a treat, get walked and loved all along the way.
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Benld Adopt A Pet
Midwest Mastiff Rescue
Pending 501(c)3 corp. Midwest Mastiff Rescue, Inc. exists to place stray, abandoned or displaced Mastiffs into approved adoptive homes. We not only accept Mastiffs that can no longer be kept by their owners but we also have taken in Mastiffs that were abandoned in a house to die or that have been found living outside chained to a tree and in dire need of immediate veterinary care.
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In 1983, Lorraine and Marvin Little saw the need to help abandoned animals in their community. Working from their own residence, they took in strays and found homes for them. The couple couldn't bear to see the animals euthanized when they weren't claimed or adopted, so they took their life savings and built the original building and eight runs for dogs 26 years ago.
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Page 8 Joni's Jewels
Joni Jewel's are very special shelter pets who are looking for a home of their own. They are elderly, or have spent much to long in a shelter or have special medical needs. Without your help in finding a forever home, these pets will spend the remainder of their lives in a shelter and that is no option at all. If you'd like to meet any of these special pets, contact the shelter where they are housed to get more information or to complete an application.
Pearl
Pearl is at the Forever Home Feline Ranch.
Pearl is 11 years old and stone deaf. She loves to curl up on a warm lap and watch TV. As you can see shes an all white beauty.
She purrs like a race car when she's being petted. When I was at the Ranch, that's what caught my attention.
She is very low maintenance other than she misses the litter box on occasion. Youll have to invest in puppy pads.
If you pick her up and hear her purr, youll never put her down so meet her at your own risk, she's a heart stealer.
Shelby is a Rott/Shep (possible Burnese Mtn. Dog) mix and is 7 yrs old the beginning of 2011. She was surrendered to Illinois Humane December 14.
Shelby is currently in a foster home and lives with another dog and 2 cats. Prior to coming to us, she had always lived outdoors. She was housebroken after only 2 accidents, so she's a smart girl.
During her initial vet checks, it was discovered that Shelby has some arthritis in her back and knees. She is currently on Deramaxx, a daily anti-inflammatory. She also gets The Missing Link (which is a glucosamine, Omega 3, and vitamin supplement) on her food once a day.
Shelby is somewhat hesitant around new dogs and is learning to tolerate cats. With her history of being outdoors, she was never socialized correctly. We have found her to be nervous in strange, fast moving environments.
Shelby seems great with all ages and just needs to be introduced to other animals slowly. Once she is comfortable in her surroundings, she's a great dog! She's got a typical "rotty" smile and will look for a comforting pat from her foster mom frequently.
Eva is a Dalmatian mix and has spent most of her life at APL. She is a healthy, strong dog with plenty of energy. She deserves a chance at a home of her own.
Eva needs a home with no small children and no female dogs or cats. She gets along with male dogs only.
Eva is active so you will need to be the active type to adopt her. If you are, then give Eva a chance. A lifetime in a shelter is so hard on an active dog like Eva and you can truly make a difference in her life.
Page 9 You may contact us by email, snail mail, phone or on Facebook.
Facebook Fan us on Facebook where you'll see updated articles as they are released and information on current events in support of our local shelters. Special pricing and seasonal offers will also be posted on our Facebook page.
217-553-5148
You Go Pet Sitting
2109 Stonehenge
Springfield, Illinois 62702
Page 10 What is Presents 4 Pets?
Where Can I Donate?
Who Benefits & What Can I Donate?
The shelters I will be distributing supplies to in 2010 are the Animal Protective League and the Forever Home Feline Ranch. These abandoned and abused pets need your help. You can provide for their comfort by donating:
Toys - Treats - Blankets - Towels - Bleach - Beds - Pet Taxi's - Crates - Leashes - Collars - Dog Food Canned & Dry Cat Food New Litter Pans and Scoops Laundry Detergent Paper Towels - Office Supplies and Stamps. Gently used items are acceptable if they are in good, clean condition unless noted as New. Food needs to be unopened.
I am proud to participate in the 2010 Presents 4 Pets campaign!
The National Association of Professional Pet Sitters in conjunction with the Humane Society of the United States' National Animal Shelter Appreciation week holds an annual collection drive to benefit shelter and rescue pets.
Presents 4 Pets (P4P) is a nationwide program designed to help support local shelters and rescue groups by collecting needed items in September and October and distributing them to local shelters during National Animal Shelter Appreciation Week November 7-13.
Drop off Locations for P4P
Joe Blankenship Dog Training
2530 N. Grand Avenue East.
Springfield, Il 62702
971 - 3857
(Call Joe prior to drop-off to check on business hours)
It's All About Wine
1305 Wabash Avenue Suite M
Springfield, Il 62704
Richard and Stehman Rubber Stamps Inc.
317 E. Monroe
Springfield, Il 62701
If you know any other businesses that might want to have a donation box at their location, please let me know.
