There is no official map of bodega cats in New York City. Cats move, stores change hands, and some owners do not want attention. The best approach is to visit neighborhoods with many independent corner stores and ask politely.
Where to Start
Our archive includes cats from all five boroughs. We have often found them in the Lower East Side and East Village, Washington Heights and Inwood, and Brooklyn neighborhoods such as Bushwick, Bedford-Stuyvesant, Flatbush, and Williamsburg.
In Queens, try streets with independent stores in Astoria, Jackson Heights, and Ridgewood. We have also documented cats in the South Bronx and along Staten Island's North Shore.
These are starting points from BCNY store visits, not a count of every cat. There is no reliable neighborhood ranking, and a store that had a cat last year may not have one today.
How to Spot a Bodega Cat
Look near the register, on stacked boxes, or in a front window. Cats often choose warm places, including the top of an ATM or equipment behind the counter.
A food bowl, water dish, litter supplies, or a folded blanket may be another sign. None of these guarantees that the cat is in the store when you visit.
The quickest method is to buy something and ask, “Do you have a cat?” The owner may point out a sleeping spot or tell you that the cat is elsewhere that day.
Visiting Respectfully
Treat the store as a business first. Buy something, keep the entrance clear, and ask before taking photos. Do not photograph staff or customers without permission.
Let the cat decide whether to approach. Do not pick it up, feed it, wake it, or carry it outside. If it walks away, give it space.
A cat in a store is not automatically lost or available for adoption. If you see an injury, severe illness, or an immediate danger, speak to the owner calmly and contact a local rescue group for advice.
If You Do Not See One
The cat may be asleep in a back room, at home with the owner, or gone from the store for good. Avoid asking staff to wake or bring out a cat. Another visit may be different.
For context before you go, read what a bodega cat is and what New Yorkers mean by bodega.
Bodega Cats of New York is available for preorder now and publishes November 3, 2026.
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