New Yorker Magazine Cover Spotlights NYC's Famous Bodega Cats
As you swing open the door to a New York deli, better known as a bodega, a bell goes off alerting the employees someone walked in. You might be greeted with a "Welcome" but then again it's New York and they aren't very well known for their friendliness. If you're one of the lucky ones, you might get a meow from the store's feline employee.
Bodega cats have become a New York City icon, slinking around the store, sleeping on shelves, and always keeping an eye on customers. But they're much more than an adorable feline face in the deli. They serve a purpose, even if it looks like they lounge around all day. While the phenomenon of bodega cats has been circling social media for years, The New Yorker's most recent cover once again shines a spotlight on these special cats.
It wouldn't be a trip to New York City without stopping at a bodega. And now that you know most of the 10,000 New York bodegas have a cat, there's no reason not to go. Whether the bodega cat ignores you or not, we promise it's a sight you don't want to miss. Plus, it's always fun seeing where and what they get into.
Although the New York Public Health Department prohibits bodega cats, owners still risk the fine to keep these fur babies around the store. The cats are beneficial for pest control. And since fines for rodents are comparable to having a bodega cat, owners would rather keep the cat and pay that fine. That's a no-brainer in our book.
Bodega cats are nothing new, but thanks to social media, those who aren't living in NYC can also experience the adorableness of these animals. The official X account, formerly known as Twitter, @Bodegacats_ has over 1 million followers. It's the perfect window into what you might see while stopping in for a quick drink or to grab your favorite candy bar.
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