This Vermont Man Spent $71K On His Cat And Has Zero Regrets About It
Some rescues don’t feel like chance. They feel like two lives meeting exactly when they’re meant to.
That’s the vibe from Justin’s video, which he opens with a simple, heartfelt line:
“Who saved who?”
It’s a fair question, because what follows is a story about a man, a stray, and a bond that formed fast in the freezing north of Vermont.
For about five long days, the weather had been brutal. Cold snap, biting wind, the kind that cuts through layers.
Somewhere out there, a cat was trying to survive it. When Justin crossed paths with that stray, he didn’t get the usual skittish reaction. Instead, the cat leaned into him, settled in like he already knew he’d found his person, and rode in the car without a fuss.
He kneaded the blanket, purred, and tucked himself into Justin’s lap like it was the most natural thing in the world. That calm trust said a lot.
Justin didn’t waste time. He grabbed the essentials on the way home, stocked up on supplies, and made sure the little traveler had everything he needed.
He gave him a bath, too, which is rarely a cat’s favourite part of the day, but this one didn’t mind. The trust was there from the beginning, and it showed. Justin named him Chester, and just like that, a new chapter started.
Rewind to how they met. Justin had been out to look at a piece of land he was thinking about buying.
As he walked the property, a cat appeared and started tagging along. Step for step, curious and friendly, he followed.
Justin crouched down, offered some food, and the stray accepted it like they were already friends. The plan was to come back with more food over the weekend. That plan changed quickly.
He fell for the land, yes, but he really fell for Chester. The decision became bigger than a purchase. It became a promise.
He went ahead and bought the land with the idea that it wouldn’t just be his dream spot, it would be home for the cat who had chosen him.
Chester slipped into this new life with confidence and charm, showing off a big personality and a playful streak. In Justin’s own words:
“He is literally the embodiment of a dog cat.”
Maybe Chester once belonged to someone. Maybe he was lost. Maybe he was left behind.
Whatever his past, his present looks bright. He loves to cuddle. He’s happy on a leash. Car rides don’t bother him. He explores with wide-eyed curiosity and then circles back for snuggles like a pro. He’s the adventure partner and the lap cat, all in one.
What started as a property visit turned into something bigger. The land gave Justin room to breathe and build, but Chester gave it heart. Over time, two or three other strays began showing up around the property, and Justin didn’t turn away.
He built a small shelter next to the house site while construction continues. He brings food every day. The routine has purpose, and the place feels alive.
There’s a joke in the story that says a lot about how much this cat means to him. The land cost a chunk of change, and Justin likes to say he bought a $71,000 cat — with a punchline that’s pure love:
“And I’d buy it a million times over, knowing that I got him.”
That line sticks because it’s simple and true. Chester wasn’t just a rescue. He was the missing piece.
Now they’re moving through this season together — man and cat, building a home, making space for others who wander in. Chester basking in the sun. Chester walking the land like a tiny foreman. Chester curling up after a day of exploring. It’s easy to see why that first line matters so much. “Who saved who?” Maybe the answer is both of them.
