In New York City, bodega cats have become beloved members of the community, lounging in sun-drenched storefronts and weaving between snack aisles, offering friendly head pats to customers. However, these feline companions are living on the edge of the law.
State regulations generally prohibit animals in food-selling establishments, putting bodega owners at risk of fines if their cats are spotted near shelves stocked with canned goods and other food items. This issue recently gained attention when an online petition calling for legal protections for bodega cats gathered over 10,000 signatures.
While inspections are conducted by the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets to enforce food safety laws, officials note that their approach typically involves education and corrective action before issuing fines.
Many bodega owners and customers argue that these cats play an important role beyond companionship. They help keep pests like rodents and cockroaches at bay and, in some cases, attract customers. For example, a cat named Mimi in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, became an internet sensation after a customer shared a video of her on TikTok, which quickly amassed over 9 million views.
Sydney Miller, who posted the video, shared how her connection with Mimi helped her bond with Asam Mohammad, Mimi’s caretaker, a Yemeni immigrant new to the U.S.
“Mimi and her kittens are more than just cats; they symbolize community and the unique connections formed in New York,” Miller said.
Mimi’s offspring, including a playful white kitten named Lily, have also become local stars, with Lionel, another kitten, now living at a nearby bodega owned by the same family.
In a heartwarming moment, Mohammad’s cousin, Ala Najl, who was fasting for Ramadan, found comfort in playing with Lionel to distract himself from hunger. “Yes, he helps me for that,” Najl said.
At another Greenpoint bodega, shopkeeper Salim Yafai’s cat, Reilly, is so popular that a customer once offered to buy him. Yafai joked, “I said $10,000. He said $1,000. I said, ‘No.’”
Bodega cats are more than just pets in New York—they’re family, community symbols, and, for many, an integral part of the city’s charm.
