Oreo: The Actual Manager
Customers come into River Food Market asking for Oreo. The staff introduce her as the manager.
Bodega Cats of New York
Stories from New York City's bodega cats.
Latest posts
Reddit Is Bringing r/bodegacats to the Bowery
On August 29 and 30, Reddit’s first IRL pop-up will feature r/bodegacats inside a bodega-themed storefront at 213 Bowery. Entry is free with a Reddit account.
Come See Bodega Cats of New York in Person
Three public dates are on the calendar: Reddit’s r/bodega pop-up, a City Reliquary slideshow and talk, and Brooklyn Public Library on October 29.
Meet the Woman Making Tiny Sofas for New York Bodega Cats
A Williamsburg bodega cat gets custom furniture, built around his spine.
BODEGA Keeps the Camera Behind the Counter
A new comedy pilot follows a young Dominican bodega worker through one coveted shift change and a store full of people with opinions.
The Best Seats in the Bodega Are Already Taken
A bed in the front window and a delivery tray in the aisle have become permanent posts. Once a bodega cat picks a spot, the store adjusts.
The Cats Have People in the Building Now
This week I sat down with the executive director of the City Council's Animal Welfare Caucus to talk about Int. 0830, the bodega cat bill.
Announcing Bodega Cats of New York: The Book
See the official cover, finished interior spreads, trailer, and a look at how Bodega Cats of New York was made.
What Better Bodega Cat Laws Need to Cover
New York needs clear care standards, affordable veterinary support, and a legal path for cats already living in stores.
Legal Gray Areas Do Not Protect Bodega Cats
Legal care standards would give store owners, inspectors, veterinarians, and rescue groups one set of expectations for bodega cats.
Tiger: In the Window
Tiger is the Scottish fold in the window at Chiku's Williamsburg bodega, where there is a bed, a toy mouse, plants, and a little tiger figurine behind him.
How Bodega Cat Care Varies Across New York
BCNY has observed healthy, well-supported cats as well as serious care gaps across the city's bodegas. Current programs and bills could change the support available.
Fat Choy: The Cat Who Refused the Archive
Fat Choy hid through visit after visit. Her name reached the archive before a clear photograph did.
What 150 Photographs Can Preserve: On Documentary Photography and the Bodega Cat Book
Gulce Kilkis photographed 60 working cats inside the stores where they live. The counters, aisles, owners, and regulars are part of the record.
Kiki: She Claims the ATM
Kiki keeps watch from the top of a Bushwick ATM. A video of her swatting at hands made the rounds, but the people at the store know her as a sweet cat who likes saying hello.
From the First Photo to the First Print: How Bodega Cats of New York Became a Book
A personal iPhone archive grew through four years of store visits into a 240-page photography book.
What Is a Bodega? A New York City Guide
A bodega is a small New York corner store built around the needs of its neighborhood. Here is what the word means, what these stores sell, and how the city counts them.
How a Photography Book Gets Made
The BCNY book began with years of store visits, then moved through selection, sequencing, captions, design, and print proofing.
Are Bodega Cats Legal in NYC?
No. Current city and state food rules prohibit cats inside retail food stores. Two proposed bills would change the rules, but neither is law.
Jimmy: $400 a Day
Jimmy's owner says the orange tabby brings in $300 to $400 a day by sitting in the doorway. People come for him, then they buy something.
Why This Book Took Four Years to Make
Making the photographs depended on access, signed releases, repeat visits, and trust from store owners.
Where to Find Bodega Cats in NYC
Start in neighborhoods with many independent corner stores, look for bowls or a cat bed, and ask the owner. There is no official bodega cat map.
Snowy: Return to Flatbush
Snowy was five months old when a stranger carried him away from Prince Deli. A tip led to his return, followed by a Flatbush reunion party.
The 2024 In-Store Vet Tech Partnership
In 2024, Pad Home Pet Services announced free first vet tech visits for NYC bodega cats. Owners should confirm current availability directly with Pad.
What Is a Bodega Cat?
A bodega cat lives in or spends time at a New York City corner store. Some owners keep cats around because their presence may discourage mice.