Bodega Cats Go VIRAL!!

June 30, 2026

Candilee Jackson

Introduction

In the age of social media and multiple platforms to choose from, so many uncommon things and circumstances are suddenly going viral, meaning that these topics are trending literally everywhere. Bodega cats, especially those who live in New York City, are not immune to the social media craze. On Saturday Night Live in March 2017, host John Mulvaney took part in “Bodega Bathroom,” a six-minute skit spoofing Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical CATS as well as Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, which is regularly replayed. These kitties are a major part of TikTok and Instagram, and several have their own Facebook pages. Informational books on New York City lifestyle include whole chapters detailing widely known bodega cats, and Amazon features several guidebooks to the plethora of bodegas and their resident cats.6 Neighborhoods celebrate the hundreds of cats who have found homes in “ma and pa” delis, corner grocery stores, and cafes, along with the endless circle of kids and adults who stop by nearly daily to give treats and pets to these beloved felines.

So, What’s a Bodega?

Originating from the Spanish word for “storeroom” or “wine cellar,” “a bodega is a small grocery store, often found on the corners of New York City’s countless blocks.”2 The term “bodega” expanded in the 1940s and 1950s to encompass more than grocery stores, where cats are part of the culture of small neighborhood delis and cafes, “serving diverse communities with everything from pantry staples to hot meals. They are more than just convenience stores; they are lifelines in food deserts, community gathering spots, and a testament to the city’s multicultural heritage.”2

What’s a Bodega Cat?

“In the bustling streets of New York City, amidst the towering skyscrapers and endless sea of people, a unique cultural phenomenon thrives: the Bodega Cat.”2 Any feline who lives in any type of bodega is considered a “working cat.” The concept is certainly not new, as bodega cats have been working in New York’s boroughs as far back as the 1890s. As of 2025, it is estimated that “between thirty and forty percent of bodegas in New York City probably have cats.”2

The Role of the Bodega Cat

Playing a major role in New York’s neighborhoods, bodega cats “became more notable in the 1990s as bodegas proliferated.”2 They are the mascot of individual neighborhoods, and symbolize the spirit and unique character of each particular environment. Specifically, these cats “are more than just resident pets; they are working members of the bodega ecosystem.”2 “Historically kept to hunt mice, these days the cats are more known for their napping skills, and are commonly photographed snoozing atop store shelves, nestled among bags of chips and sodas.”5

As working cats, their job description entails many facets, including:

  • Pest control
  • Unofficial mascots
  • Companionship
  • Stress relief
  • Community building
  • A sense of calm in a crazy world in a city that never sleeps5

Bodega Cats and the Law

Mimicking the quiet of Carl Sandberg’s cat in his poem, “Fog,” bodega cats have completed their rodent patrol with stealth, precision, and pretty much “on the QT.” Their daily lives are quietly in the gray area of the law. With the rise of social media and the proliferation of bodega cats in not just New York City but also other large cities where ethnic neighborhoods thrive, the attention paid to these working cats has not always been favorable. There are those in the community concerned with the health and welfare of the cats, while others are fearful for the health of those who use the bodegas to purchase the goods they sell. At the same time, the popularity of these cats has not only helped control the rodent population, but helped establish fan clubs, Facebook pages, TikTok and Instagram accounts! Clearly, the laws needed revision and clarity to make sure these feline employees could retain their jobs.

“The city’s famous bodega cats just got a whisker closer to being legal — and protected — under state law.”3

Currently working its way through the New York Legislature, a bill has made it into committee that will allow the bodega cats “to legally live in retail stores – while ensuring such things as comfortable quarters, nutritious food, and medical care”3 are provided.

Dan Rimada, founder of Bodega Cats of New York, created the grassroots petition. Under current law, “cats are not permitted under both city and state health codes, and therefore entirely unregulated … leaving the door open for abuse and neglect,” stated Rimada.

What the Bill Provides

The proposed bill is aimed at the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets to develop and implement safety and healthcare standards for cats. “Those proposed standards would mandate regular veterinary check-ups and preventative care for the kitties, including vaccinations and mandatory spaying or neutering, proper nutrition and cleaning, and comfortable and safe ‘cat zones’ for them to sleep and relax in.”3

Democratic state assembly candidate Keith Powers introduced a city version of the bill in November 2025, stating, “Bodega cats embody the New York spirit: friendly, welcoming, and anti-rat. 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 iconic parts of our city.”3 The bill will also provide funds for spay/neuter procedures as well as necessary yearly vaccinations.4

Curtis Sliwa, a former 2025 mayoral candidate and self-proclaimed animal lover, stated “that bodega cats are part of the Big Apple’s tradition,”4 and Powers’ bill will allow them to come out of the shadows without the constant fear that the NYC Department of Health would issue citations, fines, and possibly remand the cats to a shelter.4 “It is Mother Nature’s way of protecting food stocks without resorting to the use of dangerous poisons,” Sliwa said. “All bodega cat lives matter!”4

Worth More than their Weight in Kibble

While many bodega cats are only famous in their neighborhoods, several store cats (a number internationally) are famous, and visitors and residents of touristy locations come to stores and businesses JUST to pet their resident cats. These famous felines range from hotel greeters to train station masters to protecting Number 10 Downing Street to a cat who “Remembers the Alamo.” Basically, these famous kitties are doing exactly what felines were born to do: pest control!

Cooper: Photographer Cat1

Wondering what Cooper was up to all day, his owners attached a small camera around his neck before sending him out on his daily adventures. “What he brought back was not only an impressive record of his whereabouts, but also a truly spectacular array of photographs that now sell for upwards of $200 each at art galleries.”1 Currently, Cooper has his own book and website, has been featured on Animal Planet’s Must Love Cats, and even has a popular Facebook page with over 75,000 fans!

Matilda, the Algonquin Cat1

Making her home at the historic Algonquin Hotel in New York City, Matilda III is part of a lovely line of Ragdolls who have held the prestigious position of “Directfurr” of Guest Relations. Matilda is allowed the run of the hotel, except for the kitchen and guest rooms. She is most often found at the registration desk or the newly-renovated lounge, where guests can order her signature cocktail. Matilda also has a personal assistant who responds to her many emails and maintains her Twitter and Facebook accounts. “Cat enthusiasts who want to book a night at the hotel have the option of reserving the ‘Friends of Matilda’ package, which includes a personalized welcome letter from the cat herself, along with an Algonquin Cat book and a Matilda stuffed animal.”1

Cafe Cats1

The first cat cafe opened in Taiwan in 1998, and since then, these eateries have become extremely popular in many Asian countries. Now spreading to the United States, “Cat Café” tea shops and delis serve as temporary homes for kittens and cats. These kitties not only provide stress relief, but are also up for adoption by many patrons who decide they cannot live without their tea-time companion.

Oscar the Grim Reaper Cat1

“Adopted as a kitten by the Steere House Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Providence, Rhode Island, doctors and nurses quickly learned that Oscar had a knack for knowing when patients were about to die. Stunningly, Oscar’s predictions are so accurate that within the span of a year and a half, he accurately predicted the demise of twenty-five patients, who all passed within four hours of his curling up on their beds. No one knows for sure how he knows, but the ongoing theory is that it’s by scent, or by observing the habits of the nurses around him.”1

And the Tail End …

Bodega cats are part of a city’s unique culture: they are more than just pets, and are symbols of their ethnic communities. “Despite legal gray areas, these feline companions persist, serving as practical pest controllers and adding character to the city’s bodegas.”2 Without a doubt, these working cats are the “dynamic interplay between tradition and regulation,”2 and an iconic part of the tapestry of New York City.

References

  1. 2017. “Ten Working Cats That Earn Their Weight …”. Catsparilla. September 05. Accessed April 13, 2026. http://www.catsparella.com/2011/09/10-working-cats-that-earn-their-weight.html#
  2. n.d. “What’s A Bodega Cat?” A Non-New Yorker’s Guide to These Iconic Working Kitties.” Cat News and Tidbits: Meow Hoo. Accessed April 11, 2026. https://meowhoo.com/bodega-cat/.
  3. Rosenthal, Nicole. 2026. “NYC Bodega Cats Get a Whisker Closer To Being Legal: ‘Embody The New York Spirit’.” New York Post. January 20. Accessed April 11, 2026. https://nypost.com/2026/01/20/us-news/nyc-bodega-cats-move-whisker-closer-to-being-legal/.
  4. Russo-Lennon, Barbara. 2026. “NYC Council Pushes To Legalize Bodega Cats, Giving Them ‘Purr-fect’ Legal Status.” MSN. Accessed April 11, 2026. https://www.msn.com/enhttps://www.msn.com/en-us/travel/news/nyc-council-pushes-to-legalize-bodega-cats-giving-them-purr-fect-legal-status/ar-AA1QofQU.
  5. Thornton, Claire. 2024. “New York’s Beloved Bodega Cats Bring Sense of Calm To Fast-paced City.” USA Today. August 16. Accessed April 11, 2026. https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/pets/2024/08/16/bodega-cats-new-york-city/74786221007/.
  6. Topliff, Maddie. 2025. “Why NYC’s Bodega Cats Are Internet Stars – and Local Legends.” Daily Paws. July 09. Accessed April 11, 2026. https://www.dailypaws.com/bodega-cats-nyc-11723308.

 

 

 

Candilee Jackson

Candilee Jackson, BA, MPH (Oncology Counseling), is a retired musical theatre educator with 45 years of experience. She has bred Tonkinese under the cattery name Pawdancer since 2000. Winning four Muse Awards, her writing strength lies in human-interest stories and informational narratives. Writing in a “dialogue” style, CJ draws her audience in as if she were speaking directly to them.