New York City is on the verge of officially welcoming its most iconic shopkeepers: bodega cats. Councilmember Keith Powers has introduced a bill to legalize the presence of cats in bodegas across all five boroughs, ending years of legal uncertainty for these beloved felines.
Bodega Cats Move Toward Legal Status
For decades, bodega cats have been a fixture in New York’s corner stores, valued for their rodent-control skills and their role in neighborhood life. However, health codes have technically prohibited animals in food establishments, leaving bodega owners at risk of fines if they kept a cat to keep rats at bay.
Powers’ proposed legislation would amend the city’s health code to officially allow cats in bodegas, provided certain conditions are met. These include requirements for vaccination, neutering, and certification, ensuring that both public health and animal welfare standards are upheld.
Free Vaccination Program and Certification
A key feature of the bill is the creation of a free vaccination program for registered bodega cats. Owners who register their cats would receive complimentary vaccinations, making it easier for small business owners to keep their feline employees healthy and compliant with city rules. The certification process would also require owners to ensure their cats are spayed or neutered and cared for in a humane manner.
The push for legal recognition gained momentum thanks to Dan Rimada, founder of the popular Instagram account @BodegaCatsofNewYork, which has nearly 49,000 followers. Rimada’s online petition calling for a certification program to protect bodega cats without compromising food safety garnered over 13,000 signatures, capturing the attention of lawmakers and the public alike.
“These cats have always worked quietly behind the counter—now they’re finally getting the recognition and protection they deserve,” Rimada said.
A Symbol of New York
Councilmember Powers, who is also running for Manhattan Borough President, emphasized the cultural significance of bodega cats. “Bodega cats embody the New York spirit: friendly, welcoming and anti-rat,” he said. “I’m proud that my legislation will codify them into city law and provide resources to keep them healthy”.
The legislation is expected to be formally introduced at the next City Council meeting later this month. If passed, it would not only legalize bodega cats but also set a precedent for how the city balances tradition, public health, and animal welfare.
For now, New Yorkers can look forward to a future where their favorite bodega cats are not just tolerated, but protected by law—a win for shopkeepers, customers, and the city’s most famous four-legged workers.
