Cats in retail food stores

Summary

This bill would override the provisions of the New York City Health Code that prohibit owners of retail food stores from keeping a cat within their store. Importantly, however, this bill standing alone would not permit store owners to keep cats in their stores. Instead, further action would be required by the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets to change its regulations prohibiting the keeping of live animals within stores. Additionally, this bill would require the Office of Animal Welfare, in collaboration with the Department of Small Business Services, to establish a program to provide free vaccinations and spaying and neutering services to cats residing in retail food stores and to conduct an outreach campaign to inform retail food store owners regarding these programs.

Summary from NYC Council (Legistar). How we handle summaries

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Where it stands

Assigned to a committee for review.

Committee on Health

Full history

1. Apr 16, 2026

   Introduced

   This Introduction was Introduced by Council

   NYC Council

2. Apr 16, 2026

   Referred to committee

   This Introduction was Referred to Comm by Council to the Committee on Health

   NYC Council