Photo by Erik Witsoe on Unsplash
Cats in delis and bodegas, or small grocers, are an iconic part of New York City’s culture, but they’re technically illegal. A petition is seeking to change that.
The online petition from Dan Rimada, who started the Instagram account @bodegacatsofnewyork during the pandemic, calls for the creation of a certification program that would protect bodega cats and their owners without compromising food safety rules.
"Through years of hands-on experience, I've witnessed both the charm of well-cared-for bodega cats and the harsh reality of neglect when standards aren't met," Rimada wrote in his petition listed in late January. "In conversations with rescue organizations and advocacy groups, we've designed a realistic, community-driven solution."
The voluntary Bodega Cat Certification Program would offer permits to bodega cat owners “who meet clear, humane standards,” including regular veterinary checkups, spaying or neutering, proper feeding, and “safe ‘cat zones.’”
Participating bodegas would also receive a certain amount of money, which would help deli owners with vet fees and other costs associated with having a cat.
The petition has received over 11,000 signatures since being listed in late January and covered in the press.
Often seen lounging around the premises, the cats arguably keep stores clean by deterring rodents. Irene Donnelly, who works at Myers of Keswick in the West Village, called fines from state inspectors “money well spent” in defending her bodega cat.
“You can’t have it both ways,” Donnelly told The New York Times. “The rodent issue is so prevalent. The cat solves that. Why is that a problem?”
The cats also provide companionship for proprietors and attract customers. Several popular Instagram and TikTok accounts are built around bodega cats.
Sydney Miller, whose TikTok video of a cat from a Brooklyn deli has been viewed over 9 million times, told the Associated Press, “Ultimately, the cats are a symbol of community building and the special, unique type of connection that happens in a city like New York.”
Cat cafés have been opening nationwide in recent years with strict health code requirements, including keeping the cats separate from any food preparation areas.
The push for legitimacy for bodega cats comes as dog owners in New York City have been increasingly taking their pets into supermarkets and even some restaurants despite laws mandating that only service animals are allowed. According to the Food and Drug Administration’s food code, animals can transmit “disease-causing organisms” and “pathogens” that can contaminate food, and they “shed hair continuously” and “may deposit liquid or fecal waste.”