Bodega cats serve as natural pest controllers, beloved community mascots, and cultural icons, helping preserve the unique charm and spirit of New York City’s neighborhood stores.
Bodega cats often called store pets or shop cats, play an important role in New York City’s corner stores. They provide natural pest control and add personality to the community. These shop cats, celebrated online through the Bodega Cats of New York social media accounts, have gained fame as internet favorites and symbols of their neighborhoods. Even though health rules do not allow them, these cherished cats help stores and their communities. Cat supporters are working to make them recognized and provide them with proper healthcare.
If you’re stopping by a corner store in New York City for a quick snack and hear the gentle purring of a cat, don’t be caught off guard. These bodega cats also referred to as shop cats by some, have become a hit on the internet. They’re turning into one of NYC’s most delightful highlights representing the true spirit of the city.
Daily Paws had a chat with Dan Rimada, the creator of Bodega Cats of New York, to dive into what makes these store cats so special and why they should be protected as part of the city’s cultural heritage.
What’s a Bodega?
Let’s start with the basics. What is a bodega anyway? A bodega is a small convenience store you’ll spot in neighborhoods across New York City’s five boroughs, including Manhattan. Right now, estimates say the city has more than 10,000 bodegas, which play an important role in local communities.
“A bodega is a small shop run by families,” says Rimada, who grew up in Brooklyn. “They stock everything from everyday items like toilet paper to things like eye drops, energy drinks, and even lottery tickets—just your usual stuff.”
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Bodegas are more than just neighborhood stores. They are a big part of New York’s culture, and the cats that live inside them are becoming popular as part of this unique tradition.
What Does a Bodega Cat Do?
Bodega cats may have become popular, but they’ve been part of these stores for generations. Often, they stick around as permanent residents or move in as stray cats and end up staying. No matter how they arrive, they all have the same purpose.
Bodegas offer shelves full of snacks and sometimes fresh food. , these items can bring pests into the store. Bodega cats step in to handle that problem and act as natural pest controllers.
Across the tri-state area, these cats have a reputation as top-tier pest fighters. They help keep rodents under control even though not every cat is great at the job.
“Look at Tiger, the bodega cat in Williamsburg,” Rimada says. “His owner Chiku, brings this Scottish fold to the store every day, but Tiger is awful at catching mice. He seems clueless that it’s supposed to be his job so now he’s just the shop’s mascot.”
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Luna the Tuxedo Cat: Rimada’s Surprising Inspiration
Rimada grew up surrounded by bodega cats and saw them as just a normal part of living in New York. That changed completely when one unique cat made him see them showing how they bring neighborhoods together.
“At first, I didn’t think much about bodega cats,” Rimada says. “Everything shifted during my first year of high school when I met an incredible tuxedo cat named Luna.”
Luna had such a magnetic presence that Rimada often changed his usual way home after school just so he could hang out with her. That bond with Luna turned out to be a big deal later since she inspired the famous Bodega Cats of New York logo.
“Luna made a lasting mark on me,” Rimada shares emphasizing how these cherished cats can bring comfort to people in the neighborhood.
Bodega Cats of New York, Meet Instagram
Rimada used his Instagram to share pictures of his favorite bodega cats. What started as a personal project turned into something much bigger than he ever imagined becoming a hit on the internet.
“I figured I’d get maybe 100 followers, tops,” Rimada says. “But then something unexpected happened. People began sending me their own photos of bodega cats. At first, I didn’t reply to most of the messages. There were dozens, and answering them wasn’t my plan.”
As the messages kept coming, Rimada couldn’t keep ignoring them. Over time, he started sharing pictures sent by others. , those cats became more than just store fixtures—they sparked conversations online.
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“, I gave in to the rising demand, and that’s how it all took off,” Rimada says. “People feel an amazing sense of pride in their neighborhood bodega cats. They’re always excited to share them with the rest of the world.”
The Instagram account Bodega Cats of New York now has over 50,000 followers. Rimada often gets messages from travelers asking which store cats they should check out when they’re visiting the city showing how much these cats are part of bodega life.
Running the account is fun for the most part, but Rimada also uses the platform as a way to support these unique cats and work alongside other devoted cat advocates.
Taking Care of These Divisive Felines
At first glance, having a bodega cat might seem ideal for small businesses. They help get rid of pests and even bring in cat lovers as customers. What’s the downside? The issue is pretty big—keeping a bodega cat breaks health codes.
“I often heard shop owners say something like, ‘Sure, we get fined by the health department for these bodega cats,'” Rimada explains. “Even though they’re helpful, inspectors can fine shopkeepers up to $300 each time if they choose to enforce the rule.”
Still, plenty of shop owners decide to keep these cats around knowing how important they are for their stores and the community.
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“The truth is that rodent infestation penalties cost a lot more so they choose the smaller fine instead,” Rimada says.
Getting proper vet care for these cats is another big problem. Bodega owners make sure their shop cats have food and water, but there are hurdles. Closing the store for hours to take the cats to the vet just isn’t something they can afford. Sometimes people in the community step in to help, but this isn’t a solution that lasts forever.
“There’s a touching story I like to tell,” Rimada shares. “A kind-hearted woman right after getting paid, arranged several Uber rides. She went out of her way to pick up a cat from a bodega, take it to the vet, and then make sure it got back . She used her own time and money to make this happen.”
Bodega Cat Fundraiser Collects Thousands
This event led Rimada to start a bigger effort aimed at cat lovers around the world. She teamed up with popular social media accounts like Shop Cat Show, Bodega Cat Spirits, and Bodega Cats of Instagram. With their help, the campaign got attention from 1.7 million followers.
The fundraising campaign lasted two months, from April 30 to June 30, and raised close to $8,000. Organizers then shared this money with several animal welfare groups in New York City. Some of these organizations focus on initiatives like helping bodega cats.
The Future of NYC’s Bodega Cats
Supporting bodega cats continues to face major obstacles in terms of laws and regulations. , Rimada teamed up with NYC councilman Keith Powers and introduced a plan to formalize protections for bodega cats. The proposal aims to ensure both the cats and the shopkeepers who care for them receive official city support.
“We’re trying to start something like a bodega cat union!” Rimada says . The plan has a goal to secure legal rights for these hard-working cats.
Rimada is working on promoting bodega cats through Instagram while also running an unusual venture called Cats About Town. This is the first-ever historical walking tour in NYC that focuses on cats. The tour celebrates the city’s cherished store cats and helps keep this genuine New York tradition alive as chain stores make the city more uniform.
These legendary feline figures are winning the hearts of locals and tourists. Bodega cats have grown beyond just keeping pests away. They now represent a vital piece of New York City’s charm and show the lasting strength of its small local businesses.
Source:
Maddie Topliff (July 9, 2025). Why NYC’s Bodega Cats Are Internet Stars—and Local Legends. Daily Paws. https://www.dailypaws.com/bodega-cats-nyc-11723308
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