https://bodegacatsofnewyork.com/stories/ Stories from New York City's bodega cats. en-us Thu, 30 Jul 2026 02:28:46 GMT 60 https://bodegacatsofnewyork.com/stories/free-vet-tech-care-partnership/ https://bodegacatsofnewyork.com/stories/free-vet-tech-care-partnership/ Sat, 30 Mar 2024 00:00:00 GMT In 2024, Pad Home Pet Services announced free first vet tech visits for NYC bodega cats. Owners should confirm current availability directly with Pad. Bodega Cats of New York Tue, 28 Jul 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://bodegacatsofnewyork.com/stories/bodega-cats-as-document-photography/ https://bodegacatsofnewyork.com/stories/bodega-cats-as-document-photography/ Fri, 13 Mar 2026 00:00:00 GMT Gulce Kilkis photographed 60 working cats inside the stores where they live. The counters, aisles, owners, and regulars are part of the record. Bodega Cats of New York Mon, 27 Jul 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://bodegacatsofnewyork.com/stories/bodega-cats-book-origin-story/ https://bodegacatsofnewyork.com/stories/bodega-cats-book-origin-story/ Mon, 08 Sep 2025 00:00:00 GMT What started as a personal iPhone archive became a 240-page photography book from a major publisher. Here's how it happened. Bodega Cats of New York Mon, 27 Jul 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://bodegacatsofnewyork.com/stories/how-a-photography-book-gets-made/ https://bodegacatsofnewyork.com/stories/how-a-photography-book-gets-made/ Tue, 22 Jul 2025 00:00:00 GMT The BCNY book began with years of store visits, then moved through selection, sequencing, captions, design, and print proofing. Bodega Cats of New York Mon, 27 Jul 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://bodegacatsofnewyork.com/stories/why-this-book-took-four-years/ https://bodegacatsofnewyork.com/stories/why-this-book-took-four-years/ Sun, 28 Jul 2024 00:00:00 GMT Making the photographs depended on access, signed releases, repeat visits, and trust from store owners. Bodega Cats of New York Mon, 27 Jul 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://bodegacatsofnewyork.com/stories/snowys-journey-flatbush-bodega-cat-return/ https://bodegacatsofnewyork.com/stories/snowys-journey-flatbush-bodega-cat-return/ Mon, 29 Apr 2024 00:00:00 GMT 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. Bodega Cats of New York Mon, 27 Jul 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://bodegacatsofnewyork.com/stories/the-cats-have-people-in-the-building/ https://bodegacatsofnewyork.com/stories/the-cats-have-people-in-the-building/ Fri, 24 Jul 2026 00:00:00 GMT 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. Bodega Cats of New York Fri, 24 Jul 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://bodegacatsofnewyork.com/stories/new-york-talking-about-bodega-cats-right-way/ https://bodegacatsofnewyork.com/stories/new-york-talking-about-bodega-cats-right-way/ Sat, 27 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMT The answer is to set rules that help the cats and the owners who already care for them. Bodega Cats of New York Thu, 23 Jul 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://bodegacatsofnewyork.com/stories/legal-gray-area-bodega-cats-better-outcomes/ https://bodegacatsofnewyork.com/stories/legal-gray-area-bodega-cats-better-outcomes/ Thu, 25 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMT Bodega cats are not going anywhere. The question is whether they stay hidden and unprotected, or whether New York creates standards that actually protect them. Bodega Cats of New York Thu, 23 Jul 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://bodegacatsofnewyork.com/stories/not-every-bodega-cat-is-cared-for-the-same/ https://bodegacatsofnewyork.com/stories/not-every-bodega-cat-is-cared-for-the-same/ Sat, 20 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMT Care varies across the city's bodegas. This is what we have observed and what current programs and bills may change. Bodega Cats of New York Thu, 23 Jul 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://bodegacatsofnewyork.com/stories/announcing-bodega-cats-of-new-york-the-book/ https://bodegacatsofnewyork.com/stories/announcing-bodega-cats-of-new-york-the-book/ Tue, 21 Jul 2026 00:00:00 GMT See the official cover, finished interior spreads, trailer, and a look at how Bodega Cats of New York was made. Bodega Cats of New York Tue, 21 Jul 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://bodegacatsofnewyork.com/stories/jimmy-bodega-cat-2nd-ave/ https://bodegacatsofnewyork.com/stories/jimmy-bodega-cat-2nd-ave/ Thu, 26 Sep 2024 00:00:00 GMT 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. Bodega Cats of New York Mon, 29 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://bodegacatsofnewyork.com/stories/tiger-williamsburg-window/ https://bodegacatsofnewyork.com/stories/tiger-williamsburg-window/ Tue, 23 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMT 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. Bodega Cats of New York Tue, 23 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://bodegacatsofnewyork.com/stories/pumpkin-born-on-the-right-day/ https://bodegacatsofnewyork.com/stories/pumpkin-born-on-the-right-day/ Sat, 05 Apr 2025 00:00:00 GMT Born on Halloween. Named for it. Watches customers from the candy shelf like they are on parade. Bodega Cats of New York Tue, 23 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://bodegacatsofnewyork.com/stories/first-look-book-untapped-new-york-talk/ https://bodegacatsofnewyork.com/stories/first-look-book-untapped-new-york-talk/ Thu, 18 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMT On June 25, 2026, I joined Untapped New York for a virtual talk about the BCNY archive, the book, and the current City Council bill. Bodega Cats of New York Thu, 18 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://bodegacatsofnewyork.com/stories/francesca-and-stella-brooklyn-field-notes/ https://bodegacatsofnewyork.com/stories/francesca-and-stella-brooklyn-field-notes/ Wed, 03 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMT A wrong turn led to Francesca in Williamsburg. In Park Slope, Stella stayed still in the arms of someone who knew her. Bodega Cats of New York Wed, 03 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://bodegacatsofnewyork.com/stories/fat-choy-refused-the-archive/ https://bodegacatsofnewyork.com/stories/fat-choy-refused-the-archive/ Wed, 03 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMT Fat Choy lives mostly as a rumor with paws: everyone knew she was there, but she had her own terms. Bodega Cats of New York Wed, 03 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://bodegacatsofnewyork.com/stories/ashley-still-runs-the-room/ https://bodegacatsofnewyork.com/stories/ashley-still-runs-the-room/ Thu, 19 Mar 2026 00:00:00 GMT Ashley was perched behind the counter, framed by lottery tickets, watching the store like she had been waiting for us to catch up. Bodega Cats of New York Thu, 19 Mar 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://bodegacatsofnewyork.com/stories/nancy-named-for-a-grandmother/ https://bodegacatsofnewyork.com/stories/nancy-named-for-a-grandmother/ Wed, 11 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMT She judges people with gentle disapproval. Customers walk in, get the slow blink, and know they have been seen. Bodega Cats of New York Wed, 11 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://bodegacatsofnewyork.com/stories/lucky-the-new-guy/ https://bodegacatsofnewyork.com/stories/lucky-the-new-guy/ Wed, 23 Apr 2025 00:00:00 GMT A cat named Obama was stolen from a Williamsburg bodega. The owner filed a police report. A month later, Lucky walked in. Bodega Cats of New York Sat, 07 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://bodegacatsofnewyork.com/stories/richie-the-receipt-thief/ https://bodegacatsofnewyork.com/stories/richie-the-receipt-thief/ Thu, 17 Apr 2025 00:00:00 GMT The second the receipt prints, he swats it off the counter. The cashier stopped fighting it. They just print duplicates now. Bodega Cats of New York Fri, 06 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://bodegacatsofnewyork.com/stories/klara-narrates-the-store/ https://bodegacatsofnewyork.com/stories/klara-narrates-the-store/ Thu, 05 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMT A vocal tortie in Park Slope who narrates the store. When a regular walks in, she announces it. When someone is taking too long in the chip aisle, she comments. Bodega Cats of New York Thu, 05 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://bodegacatsofnewyork.com/stories/midnight-he-follows-the-owner-home/ https://bodegacatsofnewyork.com/stories/midnight-he-follows-the-owner-home/ Wed, 12 Mar 2025 00:00:00 GMT A customer found him on Petfinder, paid $125, and dropped him off the next day. Now he follows the owner to the car every night. He does not want to go inside. He just wants to walk him there. Bodega Cats of New York Mon, 02 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://bodegacatsofnewyork.com/stories/leena-escorts-customers-to-the-door/ https://bodegacatsofnewyork.com/stories/leena-escorts-customers-to-the-door/ Fri, 30 Jan 2026 00:00:00 GMT A regular had to move to California and asked the store to take Leena. Now she waits near the York Avenue door and walks certain customers out. Bodega Cats of New York Fri, 30 Jan 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://bodegacatsofnewyork.com/stories/tommy-hells-kitchen/ https://bodegacatsofnewyork.com/stories/tommy-hells-kitchen/ Tue, 11 Feb 2025 00:00:00 GMT One eye is blue. The other is green. Against his solid white coat, the difference is stark. It looks almost artificial. It stops people on the sidewalk. Bodega Cats of New York Wed, 21 Jan 2026 00:00:00 GMT