Bodega Cats Face Crackdown Despite 11,000 Signing Petition

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NYC's iconic bodega cats exist in a legal gray area, with owners facing fines up to $350 if health inspectors spot felines near food shelves.

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Many bodega owners keep cats specifically for rodent control—solving one health violation while potentially creating another.

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A petition started by Dan Rimada has gathered over 11,000 signatures, approaching its goal of 15,000 to protect these unofficial neighborhood mascots.

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Rather than challenging regulations outright, the petition proposes a community initiative providing veterinary care and resources for bodega owners.

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In Greenpoint, Brooklyn, a fluffy gray and white cat named Mimi became an unexpected social media sensation with over nine million TikTok views.

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For Yemeni immigrant Asam Mohammad, Mimi has become more than pest control—she's his connection point with the community.

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The initiative, launching April 2025, aims to partner with NYC bodega cat social media accounts to provide health services including vaccinations and wellness checks

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For many New Yorkers, bodega cats represent something essential about their city—resilience, practicality, and unexpected charm in unlikely places.

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