They may nap on chip bags and bat at stray receipts, but New York’s bodega cats are the unsung heroes of the snack aisle. These furry vigilantes guard against rodents and bad vibes, winning hearts while quietly breaking health codes. Sure, they’re not exactly up to regulation — but in a city where rules are more like polite suggestions, who’s really going to evict a cat named Mr. Whiskers?

Bodega cats make New Yorkers’ hearts purr, even if they violate state regulations