Taking Care of Other People's Cats While Traveling Allows a Woman to Invest Almost $30,000

Have there ever been times when you yearned to tour the world but had the funds to do so? Well, Australian travel writer Madolline Gourley faced a similar problem before coming up with an intriguing solution. The woman offers to take care of cats in the homes she stays in while traveling. On her blog, “One Cat at a Time,” Gourley documents her experiences caring for cats. She estimates that by caring for kittens in families in Australia and the United States, she has saved about $28,000.

In a statement to Bored Panda, Madolline said: “I first learned about home sitting at work one day. Later on in the day, I googled it when I got home. TrustedHousesitters was the first website to appear. Since 2017, I joined and have kept my membership with them renewed annually. I mostly use TrustedHousesitters for my house and cat sitting needs, but I also utilize others.

More info: Instagram | onecatatatime.co

Meet Madolline Gourley, a cat sitter who works all over the world.

“I have mainly concentrated on house and cat sitting in the USA, but as of July 1, I received my first sit in Canada. Before moving on to Ottawa for another stint, I’ll be in Montreal for roughly two and a half weeks. While I’m in Canada, I’d want to get seats in Toronto or Quebec City. I hope to house and cat sit in Singapore, Hong Kong, Japan, and New Zealand in the future. Moreover, in the colder seasons, other regions of Canada.

I’ve also performed gigs all around Australia, where I’m from. Thanks to home and cat sitting, I’ve been to Launceston, Darwin, Newcastle, and Sydney. I’d like to cat-sit in different regions of Australia, but now that the world is starting to open up again, I’m more interested in chances abroad.

Madolline has cared for numerous animals while on the road.

Since December 2017, I’ve been a cat sitter for roughly 50 cats. The majority of them were adopted as rescue cats from shelters. It wasn’t until I started house and cat sitting that I realized how well-liked rescue cats were. It’s wonderful to see that so many individuals prefer to adopt a cat than purchasing one from a breeder. I’ve taken care of Persians, Birmans, and Ragdolls, she claims.

Madolline can name every cat by name!

“I’ve also taken care of many senior cats; one of them was as old as 20. In February 2022, I took care of a boy named Bones in Salt Lake City. I can recall the names of every cat I’ve ever taken care of.

See some of the cutest kitties that Madolline has encountered while traveling.

Thanks to home and cat sitting, I’ve been to Launceston, Darwin, Newcastle, and Sydney. Although I’d like to cat-sit in other Australian regions as well, I’m more eager to pursue opportunities abroad.

A new friend in every city

According to Madolline, who travels alone, having a cat at home each day makes it seem as though you have a companion with you wherever you go. Taking care of them offers you a sense of accountability and a routine. When you’re traveling for up to two or three months at a time, routine can be beneficial.