CITYWIDE – NEW LEGISLATION introduced by Staten Island City Councilmember Frank Morano would pave the way for the legalization of the city’s many beloved bodega cats – if the state plays ball, SI Live reports.
The bill would strike the city Health Code’s ban on animals in food stores, and would direct the Department of Small Business Services and the Office of Animal Welfare to create a program offering free spaying, neutering and vaccination to working cats.
Related article: Bodega cats make New Yorkers’ hearts purr, even if they violate state regulations
State law, however, would still prohibit them, so further legislative action would be needed to fully protect business owners and their four-legged employees.
“This is about more than just cats. It’s about respecting small businesses, improving public health, and embracing the character of New York City,” Morano told SI Live.
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