The Bodega Cats of New York project documents the working cats of NYC’s delis, bodegas, and corner stores.

The cat at the local deli wasn’t a pet. She knew the regulars. She kept the mice out. She gave people a reason to walk an extra block. And she was technically a violation of city health code.

That was six years ago. Since then, the project has documented over 150 shops, collected 13,500 petition signatures, and helped introduce the first legislation in New York City history to classify bodega cats as working animals.

Bodega Cats of New York is also a new book about the hardest working cats in New York City.  You might like to view this related video from 2011.