If you live in New York City, chances are you have seen a “bodega cat”, and even if you don’t live in NYC, these furry friends are trending all over social media. But what many don’t know is that these felines are more than just pets; they are coworkers.
The relationship between stores and cats goes back over a century in New York. First used by the Navy to protect their equipment from rodent damage, cats soon became a common sight at corner stores. If a store sold or stored something a rat would want, then the owners had a cat. It was often cheaper to care for a cat than to replace inventory destroyed by rodents.
As time went on, these cats became community symbols. Customers often form relationships with these cats over time, coming back time and time again to the same bodegas just for a chance to greet their furry friends. However, these cats aren’t exactly legal. According to the New York City Department of Health, animals, with the exception of service animals, are not allowed in food establishments. Fines for having a cat in a bodega can range from $200 to $2000.
New legislation from New York City Councilmember Keith Powers aims to legalize these cats. This bill outlines plans for free, multilingual online training for bodega owners regarding “responsible pet care and food safety”. Additionally, the bill calls for a “Bodega Cat Support Fund” that owners could use to help cover vet bills, neutering, and emergency care. The bill would also establish a free vaccination program for cats that are registered to bodegas, ensuring these animals are kept healthy.
Out of the estimated 10,000 bodegas across NYC, almost 40% are home to a cat. “Bodega cats embody the New York spirit: friendly, welcoming and anti-rat. “I’m proud that my legislation will codify them into city law and provide resources to keep them healthy,” Powers said in a statement.
Bodega cats are not just popular in New York City, but across the entire state. Assembly Member Linda Rosenthal has introduced a bill similar to Powers’ that would make these protections and rules apply statewide.
Affording these cats legal protections would not only help the animals but also the small businesses they call home.
