New York’s bodega cats are finally winning over the law

Linda, a 'bodega cat,' is seen working at Rodriguez Deli Grocery in Bushwick, in the Brooklyn borough of New York, New York, USA, 10 December 2025.

They lounge on the shelves, lurk behind the cash register, and keep the store free of mice. Known as “bodega cats,” they are a common staple in New York City’s convenience stores.

Tolerated for decades, they might soon land on their legal feet.

The term 'bodega' comes from the Spanish language, meaning ‘wine cellar’ in Spain and 'storeroom’ in some Latin American countries, but also 'grocery store' or 'corner shop' in the Caribbean. This meaning was brought to New York City by immigrant communities, and it has since become the standard term for local convenience stores.

Ashley, a 'bodega cat,' is seen working at Rodriguez Deli in Williamsburg, in the Brooklyn borough of New York, New York, USA, 09 December 2025.

According to the organization United Bodegas of America, there are more than 14,000 bodegas in New York City, most of them located in The Bronx, Brooklyn and Upper Manhattan. The founder of advocacy group Bodega Cats of New York, Dan Rimada, estimates that 30 to 40% of them have “working” cats.

Bodega cats are well known for their ability to keep away rodents and bring in regular customers. An employee of Rodriguez Deli in the Williamsburg neighborhood of Brooklyn says children who attend school across the street regularly come in to visit their cat, Ashley.

“Everybody loves Ashley. People come in, say hi to Ashley. Everybody likes her,” says Jose Rodríguez, owner of Rodríguez Deli.

Not too far away in Brooklyn, two bodega cats named Kiki and Golden spend their time at Apple Eats in East Williamsburg.

Kiki (top) and Golden (bottom), 'bodega cats,' are seen working at Apple Eats in Williamsburg, in the Brooklyn borough of New York, New York, USA, 17 December 2025.

“They’re like the owners. [They] control the whole store. They keep the store clean and everything,” says Waleed Yafee, manager at Apple Eats.

The presence of cats in New York bodegas has been mostly tolerated although live animals are prohibited in food service establishments under the New York City Health Code. Fines range from $300 to $1,000, which store owners often view as a "cost of doing business."

Kiki, a 'bodega cat,' is seen working at Apple Eats in Williamsburg, in the Brooklyn borough of New York, New York, USA, 17 December 2025.

“Bodega owners have done the math and they are willing to pay 200 dollars on a fine for having a bodega cat rather than spending thousands of dollars for an exterminator to come and lay out poisons and sometimes shut down the bodega,” explains Rimada.

“We have been fined by the health department because we had a cat,” says Rodríguez. “But we always had a cat, though. I don't think we could be without a cat.”

A bodega cat is depicted in a mural outside a grocery store in Williamsburg, in the Brooklyn borough of New York, New York, USA, 17 December 2025.

“They are not going anywhere,” adds Rimada. “These are working cats, these aren’t really pets, they have a job to do. So while they are cute and photogenic, they also have a purpose: to keep the bodegas rodent-free.”

Rimada’s Bodega Cats of New York is the primary force behind the legislative push to legalize bodega cats. He launched a petition in January 2025 that collected around 14,000 signatures, and caught the attention of City Council members.

Alex, a 'bodega cat,' is seen working at Grand Organic in Williamsburg, in the Brooklyn borough of New York, New York, USA, 17 December 2025.

In late 2025, Council member Keith Powers introduced Intro 1471, a landmark bill aimed at protecting bodega cats. The bill proposes legalizing cats in retail food stores that meet specific health and sanitation standards, and establishing city-funded vaccination and spay/neuter programs for bodega cats.

A few months earlier, New York State Assembly member Linda Rosenthal introduced a bill to set official rules for these animals, including mandatory "cat zones" within the stores, and veterinary check-ups and vaccinations. The proposal was referred to the Assembly Agriculture Committee in early 2026.

Linda, a 'bodega cat,' is seen relaxing near the onions at Rodriguez Deli Grocery in Bushwick, in the Brooklyn borough of New York, New York, USA, 10 December 2025.

Rimada is on a mission to document and protect New York’s bodega cats. Beyond their role in pest control, he sees them as vital sources of "joy" that help locals hit the brakes in an otherwise frenetic existence.

“When you go to a bodega, and you are at the counter, and the cat jumps up on the counter, you are going to stop for a second and you are going to pet that cat,” he says. “And that is a brief zen moment for you.”