NYC bodega cats get a whisker closer to being legal: ‘Embody the New York spirit’
New York City’s iconic bodega cats are one step closer to gaining legal recognition and protection under state law.
A bill currently under consideration in the state legislature would allow cats to live in retail stores while ensuring they receive proper care, including comfortable spaces, nutritious food, and veterinary attention. The legislation has now advanced to committee, a crucial stage on the path toward potential passage.
“Bodega cats have been doing the work for decades,” said Dan Rimada, founder of Bodega Cats of NY, who started the petition advocating for the change. “Albany is finally catching up.”
Currently, city and state health codes do not permit cats in retail shops, leaving them unregulated and vulnerable to neglect or mistreatment.
Under the proposed bill, cats would be legally recognized, and the state Department of Agriculture and Markets would develop health and safety standards for their care. These standards would require regular veterinary check-ups, vaccinations, spaying or neutering, proper nutrition, and safe, comfortable areas for the cats to rest.
“There are a lot of things that come to mind when you think of New York City, but bodegas – and the cats that live in them – are one of the city’s most iconic features,” said Keith Powers, a Democratic candidate for state assembly who previously introduced a city version of the bill while serving on the City Council.
“Bodega cats embody the New York spirit: friendly, welcoming, and anti-rat,” Powers added. He is running in a special election this year to represent the East Village and other parts of Manhattan. The state bill would override the current city ban on these furry shop companions.
The legislation, introduced by Assemblywoman Linda Rosenthal in May, reached the Assembly Agriculture Committee on January 7. It was inspired by a grassroots petition urging the state to provide bodega owners with resources and support programs for their indispensable pets.
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