Bodega cat

Public health departments typically prohibit bodega cats under food codes that ban live animals from establishments where consumable goods are sold.

[1] The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene considers bodega cats a "general deficiency", citing concerns over the potential they pose for food contamination.

[4] Under Chapter 23 of the Food Service Establishment Violation Penalty Schedule, establishments selling food that keep live animals that are not service animals or fish kept in tanks are subject to a fine ranging from $200 to $350.

[5] Despite this, cats remain a ubiquitous presence at many of the more than 10,000 bodegas across New York City;[6] The New York Times reports that many bodega owners keep cats in spite of the law because they are seen as preferable to rodent infestations, which also carry a fine of $300.

[8] Multiple blogs and social media accounts are devoted to chronicling photographs of bodega cats across the city.