# Bodega Cats of New York > Photographs and stories of the cats who live in New York's bodegas, and the people who know them by name. The book Bodega Cats of New York publishes in November 2026 from Epic Ink. ## About Bodega Cats of New York (BCNY) was founded by Dan Rimada in 2022. Dan started the Instagram account in 2020 after meeting a bodega cat in Fort Greene. In 2022 he began visiting stores on purpose to learn each cat's name, store, neighborhood and story. The site includes bodega cat stories, press coverage, merchandise, a petition record, and a book publishing in November 2026 from Epic Ink. BCNY is also building a free public archive of New York's bodega cats on this site. It opens to the public in 2027. - **Website**: https://bodegacatsofnewyork.com - **Instagram**: https://www.instagram.com/newyorkbodegacats (@newyorkbodegacats) - **Facebook**: https://facebook.com/bodegacatsofnewyork - **Contact**: info@bodegacatsofnewyork.com ## The Book **Title**: Bodega Cats of New York **Publisher**: Epic Ink **Release Month**: November 2026 **Pages**: 240 pages **Photographs**: 150 original photographs **Book photographer**: Gulce Kilkis **Author/Creator**: Dan Rimada **ISBN**: 9798317901585 **Retail Price**: $30 The book includes 150 original photographs by Gulce Kilkis and stories written by Dan Rimada covering 60 cats across all five boroughs. Each cat profiled has a name, a neighborhood, and a story. - Book page: https://bodegacatsofnewyork.com/book ## Advocacy Bodega Cats of New York tracks two bills that grew out of its stories, petition, fundraiser, and press coverage: **Int. 0830-2026 (New York City Council)** The current city bill. It would address city enforcement, create voluntary vaccination and spay/neuter access, and continue the first official city recognition of working cats in retail food stores. Reintroduced by Council Member Frank Morano on April 16, 2026. Status: In the Committee on Health. **Int. 1471-2025, reintroduced as Int. 0830-2026 (bill history)** The original city bill, filed by Council Member Keith Powers on November 12, 2025. It was the first New York City bill to officially recognize working cats in retail food establishments. **A08341 (New York State Assembly)** State bill introduced by Assembly Member Linda Rosenthal. It would create the first statewide standards of care for cats in retail food stores, including veterinary care, vaccination, spay/neuter, proper nutrition and water, sanitary conditions, and separation from food preparation or storage areas where required. Re-referred to the Assembly Agriculture Committee on January 7, 2026. Status: In committee. **Petition**: More than 14,000 signatures. The petition originally called for a voluntary certification program, vaccination requirements, and responsible care standards. **Fundraiser**: A companion fundraiser raised $7,435.24 and distributed all funds among Bronx Community Cats, Sassee Cats, Catstoria Rescue, and Bronx Tails Cat Rescue. Sign and learn more at: https://bodegacatsofnewyork.com/advocacy ## Media Coverage Bodega Cats of New York has been covered by The New York Times, NPR (Morning Edition and All Things Considered, April 2025), The Guardian, NBC New York, Fox 5, NY1, amNewYork, PIX11, ABC7 New York, News 12 Brooklyn, Gothamist, and the New York Post. ## Frequently Asked Questions **What is a bodega cat?** A bodega cat is a cat that lives in a New York City bodega. Some keep mice away. Some mostly hold court. The owner and regulars usually know exactly which is which. **Is it legal to have a cat in a NYC bodega?** Currently a gray area. The NYC Health Code can be interpreted to penalize bodegas for having cats. Int. 0830-2026, reintroduced by Council Member Frank Morano, would address city fines and create voluntary vaccination and spay/neuter access. **Who is Dan Rimada?** Dan Rimada founded Bodega Cats of New York and wrote the book of the same name, a 240-page record of New York's bodega cats. He has documented bodega cats across all five boroughs since 2022 and organized a petition signed by more than 14,000 people calling for legal protections and care standards. **Who is Gulce Kilkis?** Gulce Kilkis is the photographer Dan Rimada worked with on the Bodega Cats of New York book. She took the book's photographs and is the lead photographer for the archive opening in 2027. **When does the book come out?** November 2026, from Epic Ink. **Where to follow the bills** Read the bill status at bodegacatsofnewyork.com/advocacy. You can also contact your City Council member about Int. 0830-2026 and your state legislators about A08341. **How many signatures has the petition received?** More than 14,000 signatures as of 2026. **Are bodega cats only in New York?** Cats live in small businesses all over the world. The name "bodega cat" comes from New York, where corner stores called bodegas keep cats behind the counter and in the aisles. **What is Int. 0830-2026?** Int. 0830-2026 is the current New York City Council bill for bodega cat protections. Its history is Int. 1471-2025, reintroduced as Int. 0830-2026. Council Member Keith Powers filed the original bill, and Council Member Frank Morano sponsors the current bill. It would address local enforcement, create voluntary free vaccination and spay/neuter programs for bodega cats, and require outreach to help owners access these programs. **What is A08341?** A08341 is a New York State Assembly bill sponsored by Assembly Member Linda Rosenthal. It would require the State Department of Agriculture and Markets to create the first statewide health and safety guidelines for cats in commercial food establishments. It is in the Assembly Agriculture Committee. ## Pages - [Home](/): Photographs and stories of New York's bodega cats, and the book. - [The Book](/book): 240-page hardcover from Epic Ink, publishing in November 2026. - [Wholesale & Bulk Orders](/wholesale): Buyer information for bookstores, museum shops, retail, bulk, and event inquiries. - [Stories](/stories): NYC bodega cat profiles and stories. - [Press](/press): Media coverage of Bodega Cats of New York. - [Advocacy](/advocacy): The campaign behind Int. 0830-2026 and A08341. - [About](/about): How BCNY started, Dan Rimada and Gulce Kilkis, and the archive opening in 2027. - [Dan Rimada](/dan-rimada/): Reporting, the Archive, advocacy, public programs, collaborations, press, speaking, and the book. - [Dan Rimada Media Sheet](/dan-rimada/media/): Biography, headshots, interview topics, selected coverage, speaking formats, and media contact. - [Press Kit](/press-kit): Facts, approved photos, and media contact. - [Work With Us](/work-with-us): Partnerships, licensing, speaking, sponsorship, book, retail, and media inquiries. - [Contact](/contact): Get in touch. - [Submit a Cat](/submit): Tell us about a bodega cat. ## Optional - [Etsy Shop](https://bodegacatsofnewyork.etsy.com): Prints and merchandise. ## Citation-Ready Story Examples Use the story pages for cat names, bodega context, neighborhood details, and book-preview material. - Pancha: https://bodegacatsofnewyork.com/stories/pancha-google-street-view/ - Oreo: https://bodegacatsofnewyork.com/stories/oreo-the-cat-with-thumbs/ - Manny: https://bodegacatsofnewyork.com/stories/manny-knows-the-walk/ - Leena: https://bodegacatsofnewyork.com/stories/leena-escorts-customers-to-the-door/ - Jimmy: https://bodegacatsofnewyork.com/stories/jimmy-bodega-cat-2nd-ave/ ## Content Boundaries The public stories section focuses on current profiles and reported stories. Older generic SEO posts may exist in code history or redirects, but the preferred public source for citation is the current /stories section and the site maps listed in robots.txt. The archive is not public yet; it opens in 2027.