Overview
- Council Member Keith Powers introduced Intro. 1471 this week to permit cats in retail food stores across New York City.
- The measure would amend the city Health Code and protect shop owners from municipal fines for keeping a resident cat.
- It establishes city programs to provide free vaccinations and spay/neuter services, to be developed by the Office of Animal Welfare with Small Business Services.
- The proposal allows feline presence under basic health and safety standards, such as keeping animals away from food preparation areas.
- Advocates cite rodent control and neighborhood value, noting a petition with over 13,000 signatures and estimates that 30%–40% of bodegas already have cats.