New York City’s beloved “bodega cats” find themselves in a peculiar predicament: adored by locals but technically outlawed.
These feline fixtures, often seen basking in storefront windows or weaving through shelves, are technically violating state law, which prohibits most animals in food-selling establishments.
While bodega owners risk fines for harboring their furry companions amongst the groceries, these cats have become integral to the city’s character. Their presence adds a touch of homeliness to the bustling urban landscape, offering a moment of quiet connection for customers amidst the city’s frenetic pace.
This legal gray area recently resurfaced with an online petition garnering over 10,000 signatures, urging the city to protect bodega cat owners from penalties. The petition highlights the clash between regulations and the cherished role these cats play in the city’s cultural fabric. The fate of these beloved bodega companions hangs in the balance, awaiting a decision that will determine whether they can continue to roam freely among the aisles.
But inspecting bodegas is a state responsibility. The New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets said in a statement that its goal is to ensure compliance with food safety laws and regulations, though it noted that inspectors aim to offer “educational resources and corrective action timelines and options” before looking at fines.
Many fans argue that the cats actually help keep the stores clean by deterring other ubiquitous New York City creatures, like rodents and cockroaches.
However, some shopkeepers say the felines’ most important job is bringing in customers.
At one bodega in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, a fluffy gray and white cat named Mimi has become even more of a star attraction after a customer posted a video of her to TikTok that was viewed over 9 million times.
Sydney Miller, the customer who shared the video, said the experience has helped her build a lasting rapport with Mimi’s caretaker, Asam Mohammad, a Yemeni immigrant who has only been in the U.S. for a few years.
“Ultimately, the cats are a symbol of community building and the special, unique type of connection that happens in a city like New York,” said Miller, a poet and digital content producer.
Mohammad said that one of Mimi’s offspring, a white furball named Lily, is also now a big hit with customers.
“He’ll play with anybody,” said Mohammad. “Before, it’s Mimi, but now all of them are famous.”
Another of Mimi’s kittens, Lionel, has taken up residence at a nearby bodega owned by the same family, where he is more than a salesman or a pest control technician.
On a recent evening, Mohammad’s cousin Ala Najl, who is Muslim, had been fasting for Ramadan since 5 a.m. and had another hour and 17 minutes to go. Feeling a bit restless, Najl decided to play with Lionel. He unrolled his red prayer rug, baiting the muscular cat into a friendly game of tug-of-war.
The playful tussle helped distract Najl as he fought through hunger pangs.
“Yes, he helps me for that,” Najl said.
At another Greenpoint bodega, shopkeeper Salim Yafai said his cat, Reilly, is so popular that one longtime customer even tried to buy him, asking Yafai for a price.
“I said $10,000. He said $1,000. I said, ‘No.’” Yafai said.
