A bodega cat is a cat that lives in or spends time at a New York City bodega. Some store owners keep cats around because their scent and presence may discourage mice. The cat may also be part of the daily life of the shop.
The arrangement varies. Some cats stay in the store. Some go home with an owner. A friendly cat may greet customers, while another spends most of the day asleep behind the counter.
Why Bodegas Have Cats
Food stores have to keep mice and rats away from their stock. Cats are natural predators, so their presence can make a room less appealing to mice. That does not mean every cat is an effective hunter.
A 2018 Fordham University study found that cats rarely confronted adult rats at a New York waste site. Northwestern University researchers identified a receptor that makes mice avoid a chemical concentrated in predator urine. Together, those findings suggest that deterrence may matter more than hunting.
A cat is not a complete pest-control plan. Stores still need to clean food spills, protect inventory, seal entry points, and use licensed pest-control services when needed.
What the Job Looks Like
There is no standard day. A cat might sleep on a cardboard box, watch the door, or sit near the register. Some follow the owner through the store. Others remain out of sight until closing time.
People often call them working cats because store owners value their effect on mice. That label does not erase the relationship between a cat and the people who care for it. Many are also companions.
How They Are Treated
Conditions differ from store to store. Some cats receive regular veterinary care, clean water, suitable food, a litter box, and a safe place to rest. Other cats need help.
Seeing a cat inside a store does not tell you the whole story. It may be healthy and cared for, or there may be a problem that needs attention. Visitors should look at the cat's condition and ask the owner before drawing a conclusion. A bodega cat should not be treated as adoptable unless the owner or a rescue group says so.
Are Bodega Cats Legal?
No. Current New York City and state food rules prohibit cats inside retail food stores. Proposed legislation would create a path for cats in qualifying stores, but it has not passed. Read the current status in Are Bodega Cats Legal in NYC?.
Why People Know Them
Bodega cats have become familiar because customers see them during ordinary errands. A cat may be asleep beside the register when someone stops for coffee, then be in the window when that person passes again after work.
Our archive records those encounters and the people who care for the cats. If you want to meet one, start with our guide to where to find bodega cats in NYC.
Bodega Cats of New York is available for preorder now and publishes November 3, 2026.
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Start in neighborhoods with many independent corner stores, look for bowls or a cat bed, and ask the owner. There is no official bodega cat map.
No. Current city and state food rules prohibit cats inside retail food stores. Two proposed bills would change the rules, but neither is law.
A bodega is a small New York corner store built around the needs of its neighborhood. Here is what the word means, what these stores sell, and how the city counts them.
Published January 12, 2024
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