Bodega Cats of New York: A Photographic Tribute and Advocacy for Working Cats
Since 2022, Dan Rimada, a resident of New York, has been capturing the essence of bodega cats throughout the city's five boroughs. He has encountered 60 different cats and teamed up with photographer Gulce Kilkis, who has taken 120 stunning images. Their collaborative effort, titled 'Bodega Cats of New York,' is a 240-page hardcover book published by Epic Ink, scheduled for release on November 3, 2026. The book explores the cats' significance in stores and the legal hurdles they encounter, as NYC health code prohibits them in retail food establishments. Two legislative measures, NYC Council Int. 0830-2026 and Assembly Bill A08341, seek to address this issue. Rimada's work highlights the welfare and working conditions of these cats, featuring notable ones like Oreo and Prince.
Key facts
- Dan Rimada has been documenting bodega cats since 2022.
- He has met 60 bodega cats across all five boroughs.
- Photographer Gulce Kilkis captured 120 photographs.
- The book 'Bodega Cats of New York' is 240 pages and published by Epic Ink.
- The book will be published on November 3, 2026.
- New York City Council Int. 0830-2026 was introduced in April 2026.
- Assembly Bill A08341 is a state-level proposal.
- Both legislative proposals remain in committee.
Entities
Artists
- Dan Rimada
- Gulce Kilkis
- Marcel Heijnen
Institutions
- Epic Ink
- New York City Council
- New York State Assembly
- Bodega Cats of New York
- Phaidon
- Colossal
Locations
- New York City
- Park Slope
- SoHo
- Istanbul
- Turkey