Bodegas are New York City institutions. They are the friendly neighborhood corner stores where the owners know their regulars by name. It’s also where you can buy some of the best chopped cheese sandwiches outside of the crowded, touristy areas. 

Over the years, bodegas have also become a haven for stray felines. And as you will see in the following photos, they have grown quite comfortable in their new homes, even becoming an attraction for customers. 

We’ve collected these photos from the Bodega Cats of Instagram page. If you live in the city, you might recognize one of these little fellas. 

Discover more in 56 Cute Photos Of Bodega Cats That Feel Like Masters Of The Shops

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#1

Tabby bodega cat lounging confidently on a blue shopping cart seat, looking like a master of the shop environment.

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    White bodega cat resting on the checkout counter surrounded by shop items, embodying shop mastery and charm.

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    Tabby bodega cat lounging atop soda cans inside a shop, looking relaxed and confident among the store products.

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    Bodega cats have become such NYC institutions that they have earned mainstream local recognition. Apart from the Instagram page where these photos came from, there is also a dedicated website that features stories about these furry felines. 

    The bodega cat phenomenon even reached across the globe in Japan, where they were featured in a segment on the national evening news.
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    Black bodega cat sitting inside a red shopping basket surrounded by store items, looking like a shop master.

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    Black bodega cat curled up sleeping in a basket beneath apples and snacks inside a corner shop.

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    Black and white bodega cat named Prince sleeping on a cardboard bed inside a shop surrounded by drinks and snacks.

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    Bodega cats have made their presence known in these neighborhood delis for years now. As Shop Cats creative producer Drew Rosenthal told the New York Times in a June 2025 interview, they were already a ubiquitous presence when he moved to Brooklyn in 2017. 

    And they have so far been beloved figures among locals. Not only do they bring a hefty serving of adorableness to bodega customers, but they also provide free rodent-control services to shop owners. 
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    Black and white bodega cat resting in a basket with a special offer sign inside a shop.

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    Black bodega cat cuddling a rubber chicken toy, resting on a large dog food sack inside a shop.

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    Tabby bodega cat sleeping on an ATM machine inside a shop, showing cute and relaxed shop master vibes.

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    Since bodega cats have been an integral part of many NYC neighborhoods, the local government has taken action. In November, the New York City Council proposed a bill that would permit shop owners to keep these felines in their stores. 

    This means that bodega cats will receive free vaccinations and undergo spaying and neutering. Currently, the New York City health code prohibits keeping live animals inside the stores.

    #10

    Black bodega cat stretching across the store counter surrounded by snacks and tobacco products on display shelves.

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    Orange bodega cat playfully grabbing a bag of chips near snack shelves inside a small shop.

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    Bodega cat standing inside a shop near a sign that reads no dogs allowed, showcasing cute bodega cats as shop masters.

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    According to NYCity NewsService, talks about the new bill gained traction after Bodega Cats of New York launched a petition, asking the local government to protect these “working” animals. The petition gathered more than 13,000 signatures, which caught the attention of City Hall.

    Bodega Cats of New York creator Dan Rimada emphasized the importance of having cats in bodegas, particularly for pest control. As he noted, it solves the problem of destroyed inventory and contaminated food without using poison or traps.

    #13

    Black and white bodega cat leaping inside a shop filled with shelves of snacks and deli meats.

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    Calico bodega cat resting among wooden fish crates with a please don’t touch sign in a colorful shop display.

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    Tabby bodega cat sitting among nativity statues, looking calm and confident inside a shop window display.

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    Rimada adds that bodega cats have also helped boost business, noting that one deli on Second Avenue draws $400 per day in foot traffic. 

    “People come for the cat, then buy something. That is not sentimental. That is a business calculation,” he said. 
    #16

    Tortoiseshell bodega cat sitting behind the counter surrounded by medicine packets and syrup bottles.

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    Black and white bodega cat standing on a freezer inside a shop, looking curiously at the camera.

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    Tabby bodega cat resting peacefully in arms inside a shop surrounded by snacks and drinks on shelves.

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    Black bodega cat with a collar lounging on beer cans inside a shop, looking playful and confident.

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    Tabby bodega cat sitting among magazines in a shop with a sign asking customers not to touch the cat.

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    Calico bodega cat stretching on a black mat inside a shop, showing relaxed and playful behavior.

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    Black bodega cat resting among snack bags on store shelves, embodying the spirit of shop masters.

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    #23

    Black bodega cat with yellow eyes seen up close inside a shop surrounded by bottles and products on shelves.

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    #24

    Calico cat curled up sleeping on straw among nativity scene statues inside a shop, bodega cats charm.

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    Tabby bodega cat sleeping on colorful La Croix sparkling water boxes, showcasing the charm of bodega cats in shops.

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    Bodega cat walking confidently into a small convenience store filled with snacks and drinks on shelves.

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    Bodega cat sitting confidently in an empty produce box inside a busy shop filled with fresh greens and signs.

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    Tabby bodega cat resting in a shop window basking in sunlight, embodying the charm of bodega cats in cozy shops.

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    #29

    Playful bodega cat lying on glass counter inside a busy shop, surrounded by shelves stocked with various products.

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    Cat perched among Cup Noodles boxes in a bodega, showcasing the charm of bodega cats as shop masters.

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    Tabby bodega cat resting among snack bags on a store shelf, showcasing the charm of bodega cats in shop settings.

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    #32

    Tabby bodega cat curled up sleeping in a small cardboard box on a dark countertop inside a shop.

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    Gray bodega cat sleeping stretched out among colorful product boxes inside a small shop setting.

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    Black and white bodega cat resting on stacks of ramen packets near a rodent trap sign inside a shop.

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    #35

    Black and white bodega cat sleeping peacefully on a countertop inside a shop, showing relaxed shop master vibes.

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    #36

    Gray bodega cat perched on canned drinks inside a shop, looking alert and acting like a master of the store.

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    #37

    Tabby and white bodega cat lounging on a freezer in a small shop surrounded by groceries and packaged goods.

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    #38

    White and black bodega cat resting among chips and snacks in a brightly lit local convenience store interior.

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    #39

    Orange and white bodega cat sleeping on a wooden shelf among snack bags and coffee products in a shop setting.

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    Tabby bodega cat sleeping on a colorful crocheted blanket inside a shop near a window with street art decorations.

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    #41

    Black and white bodega cat standing by milk cartons inside a grocery store aisle looking like a shop master.

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    Black bodega cat lounging in a small box atop water bottles in a colorful convenience store aisle.

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    #43

    Sleeping bodega cat curled up on a black chair inside a cozy shop filled with various snacks and goods on shelves.

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    Gray and white bodega cat lounging among packaged bread in a shop, embodying the charm of bodega cats.

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    #45

    Cat lounging among snack bags and wafers in a bodega, embodying the charm of bodega cats in small shops.

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    #46

    Calico bodega cat lounging in a cozy bed inside a shop, embodying the spirit of shop masters.

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    #47

    Bodega cat stretching near bottled water and stacked beer cases inside a small shop setting.

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    #48

    Bodega cat caught mid-air leap over shelves stocked with canned goods and cereal in a small neighborhood shop.

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    #49

    Tabby bodega cat lounging on boxes amidst packaged goods and condiments in a small shop setting.

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    #50

    Black and white bodega cat sitting inside a store entrance near a no dogs allowed sign, surrounded by shelves with drinks and snacks.

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    #51

    Ginger bodega cat resting on a store counter surrounded by gum packs and a sign that says don't touch.

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    #52

    Gray and white bodega cat standing confidently on an ATM, looking like the master of the shop.

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    #53

    Black and white bodega cat sleeping on a shelf above medicine boxes, showing relaxed shop master vibes.

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    #54

    Fluffy bodega cat resting inside a box surrounded by colorful La Croix sparkling water packs in a shop setting.

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    #55

    Black and white bodega cat perched on snacks in a small shop, surrounded by drinks and customers behind the counter.

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    #56

    Black bodega cat walking confidently on bags inside a fruit and vegetable shop with pineapples in the background.

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