August 14, 2025 Back Home

The Story of Shop Cats

“I pretty much just come here to see the cat,” is what you’ll hear from customers who frequent New York City’s more than 4,000 bodegas that “employ” shop cats. 

Over the last few years, shop cats have become a cultural phenomenon thanks to Reddit accounts like r/ShopCats, r/Catswithjobs and r/bodegacats. On TikTok, you can even find interviews with New York City’s hardest working shop cats from @shopcatsshow.

But shop cats are not a new trend. They have a long history going back centuries and their jobs are serious business. Here’s an in-depth look at the story of shop cats!

@shopcatsshow Meet Mia Garfield in the Upper East Side Host: @MICHELLADONNA Producer/DP: Drew Rosenthal (@Be Happy For Once) Editors: Drew Rosenthal & Alex Robinson (@alex) Art Direction: Sunny Li PA: Vivienne S A show by @madrealities.tv #bodega #cat #bodegacat #nyc ♬ original sound – Shop Cats

Why do some businesses have shop cats?

From the deli shops in the city to farmstands in rural towns, businesses have enlisted cats for pest control for centuries. 

This is for a good reason. If you’ve ever seen a cat attack a stuffed bear full of catnip, you know that they are natural-born hunters. And smart business owners concerned about pests take full advantage of this.

Stores in densely packed cities like New York often have to deal with rats and mice—it’s part of the charm of living in a city. Dumpsters and trash are usually not far from the front or back door, giving rodents an all-you-can-eat buffet 24/7. Even businesses on rural farm land employ farm cats to handle rodent infestations.  

No one wants to see a mouse while grabbing a gallon of milk, but a soft friendly kitty is a completely different story. 

A royal history of shop cats

One of the oldest known instances of a shop cat comes from the 16th century. The British government hired a cat to serve as a mouser for 10 Downing Street in London, which is the office and residence of the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. 

This royal role has been necessary for centuries and is now officially titled Chief Mouser to the Cabinet Office. The position is currently filled by a cat named Larry, who was recommended for the job in 2011 due to his incredible mousing skills. 

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A post shared by Bodega Cats (@bodegacatsofinstagram)

It’s believed that a cat named Peter III holds the record for the longest tenure at 16 years. Peter III served under five different prime ministers, including Winston Churchill!

Where are there shop cats?

We’ve already mentioned the bodega cats in New York City, but you can find shop cats in stores all over the world. 

In Hong Kong, cats provide companionship and are believed to bring good luck. Across Turkey, cats are welcome everywhere, so you’ll find them in metros, small shops, and grocery stores. San Francisco and even small cities like Richmond, Virginia have created maps that show where you can find shop cats around the city. 

Why do we love shop cats?

Businesses love shop cats because, as long as they are great hunters, they eliminate the need for harmful pesticides to prevent or kill rodents. 

But besides serving as exceptional pest control, shop cats are beloved because they are a welcome distraction for many shoppers. 

Studies show that being in the presence of animals lowers our stress levels, lifts our mood, and improves how we deal with our environment. Even pet-friendly offices report happier employees.  

Shop cats also attract customers and keep them in the store longer, which is great for business. 

Are shop cats legal?

In New York City and other big cities, it has long been illegal to keep live animals (except service animals and fish in tanks) at any place that sells food. Shop cats could pose a potential risk for food contamination, but cases like this are not common.

But good news for cat lovers in the big city…a new bill introduced by a New York City council member would legalize shop cats by updating the New York City Health Code to officially allow cats in bodegas. Fingers crossed for our furry friends in NYC.

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So there you have it, shop cats may have started as serious pest control workers, but their personalities and adorableness has made them irreplaceable employees.

Be sure to check out the Reddit and TikTok accounts we mentioned here for non-stop shop cat content, and feel free to share a little about your local shop cat in the comments below.