something i really, *really* appreciate about your videos is that you take extreme care to make sure your audience remembers not to pass judgement on pet owners and community members who cannot afford to go to the vet or access spay/neuter clinics. is online pet spaces, there's a common narrative of, "if you can't afford ___, then you don't deserve to have a pet", but one of the many things this fails to take into account is how companion animal bonds are often a necessity for survival, both for struggling humans and for rescued street animals. those bonds form in non-ideal environments, but they're better than the alternative: the human suffering from loneliness, and the animal dying in the street. there are all kinds of very good reasons someone might have a pet who doesn't receive ideal veterinary healthcare: disabled people who are socially isolated from being housebound. housing insecure people who need loyal companionship. people who had financial stability until suddenly they didn't. struggling people who rescued animals from certain death into loving, homes, even if their healthcare is less than ideal. poor people not having access to transportation or not having time due to being overworked. people who don't have access to education about the importance of spaying and neutering and regular health checkups. no reason justifies shaming the person for not magicking up accessible veterinary healthcare out of thin air. shame is not productive to getting the result we all want here; it just pushes the person further away and makes them less likely to engage with resources that might otherwise be helful. compassion and humility is a necessity.

Maybe bodegas could start putting out tip jars specifically for their cats? It could allow them to afford little cat houses for 'em. Maybe even some toys, too.

My corner store (bodega for all my us friends) has a wonderful kitty named MingMing. However the owner takes every good are of him. I will never forget how he grabbed up my leg when he was taken for his vet visit. The look he gave me after I dropped him in this carrier will stay in my memories for years to come.

My apartment complex has a bodega just to the side, over covid, the previous owners (who weren’t the best) abandoned the shop with their cat in it, locked it up and everything. When the place was bought by new people, that cat was found, in a bad way but still somehow miraculous alive. The complex took up a collection to raise the near 5,000 in medical bills for her and her 2 surviving kittens. Mama Charlie, and kittens Little Bear and Soldier go home with the owner every night, receive excellent and an ungodly amount of attention by everyone in the complex. And my heart breaks for every single cat that didn’t get that happy ending. Thank you for doing the work you do.

We rescued an NYC bodega cat in 2020, she was barely surviving in appalling conditions. She’s such a sweetie now but she was very shy in the beginning because she was only used to people abusing her. Thanks for keeping an eye on the remaining bodega kitties of NYC

Remember, if a cat isn't using a litter or sandbox, (they actually prefer to go in a sandy area and are naturally inclined to use one if it's available.) They are probably stressed. This can include having to share their space with animals or people that make them feel unsafe, being stressed about their family's behavior and marking their territory, as well as being ill or injured. It isn't always just bad behavior.

I have my work-cat right here, lying on his bed, he's neutered and well fed, we've spent a bunch of money on vet bills, but he totally deserves it, no pests in the office and warehouse thanks to him. He is also always up for a head bump an a good de-stress petting session. Everybody loves him and I secretly think that he brings a spark of luck and fun to our business.

Cats with jobs isn't a problem imo. My problem is cats with jobs not being taken care of. I mean that's the whole problem with street cats anyways, cats not getting the care they need. Thank you so much for all you do

I shop in an antique with a Bodega cat. His name is MAC. He is a Maine Coon Cat with a big warm, glass counter top to lie on all day. He does NOT got out, at all. HE lies on the counter, helps the customers to find antiques they are shopping for and just being a general all around great guy! HIs customers come and go, but MAC is always there on the glass counter top!

its hard to believe there are hundreds of thousands of stray cats just in NYC no cat deserves it and they all deserve a loving family!

Not a bodega, a machine shop, but I have a "shop cat" at my workplace. We take good care of her, make sure she gets food and water, and take her to the vet once per year. It's a huge building with lots of little places to explore and the occasional rodent (and plenty of bugs) to catch. She loves it here, and all the customers coming to drop off jobs and pick them up love her.

I'm so proud of the work you all are doing. These cats didn't ask to be born in these situations, and now mama cat will be able to just worry about herself without constantly feeling the urge to mate

I'm reminded of my time in Istanbul, and the many cats there. The city organizes care for all the cats, and many people put out food and water for them. There's nothing wrong with a cat earning its keep. The problem is when it doesn't get what it needs to survive when doing so.

Whenever I disappeared as a child in a bodega my parents would find me with the official bodega cat.💕

Thank you so much for the work you do! This is why I donate to your cause and will continue to donate.

Yes, this happens in my Bodega. They don't spay or neuter and then the cat dissappears. Then they get a new one..... idk what to do because there aren't any resources to direct them to.... it's always painful to see a new cat in my local Bodega :(

It's so sad that mama cat went from having a home and a family to living in a basement. Even if the employees are doing their best to take care of her, those are very different lifestyles, must have been hard for her :/

Bless your hearts. The way a person treats animals says a lot about them.

I live in the UK - and this channel inspired me to become a volunteer for a cat protection charity. I didn't know we had a problem here like in the US, and whilst it's not as prominent - we do. Thank you for you work and I'm excited to get started x

I always thought bodega cats were brought to work by the store owners. Sad to think some are locked up in basements without veterinary care.

It breaks my heart that those two kittens died because they had to wait to get access to them. These people are amazing for the work they do 🙏

This hurts me so bad, especially since i had to say goodbye to my faithful companion of 18 1/2 Years, Milo, to the day two weeks ago... I just can't fathom how people can treat cats so poorly, let alone abandon them. Thank you so much for being the people you are and helping the furry fellows who can't help themselves and have noone else that does!

Every time I watch these videos I always give my cat a snuggle and tell him how happy I am to that he's healthy and well taken care of.

the corner store down the street from me in Brooklyn has a kitten that lives in their basement, it drives me crazy and it looks very unwell. What could I do about this? Maybe Flatbush cats can pay it a visit, it’s in Clinton Hill off Myrtle 😢. Unfortunately I think people coming from nations where people don’t have the time or resources to care for pets, don’t really see the point in dumping tons of money into what is essentially a worker. My immigrant grandmother still has a hard time seeing my pets as a member of the family due to her upbringing, where animals were tools and resources, even the family dog was useless unless it is working. Not saying that all people who come from developing nations share the same sentiments of course… there are absolutely exceptions to the rule.

I love the way you've used content creation as a key driving force in engagement for your fundraising initiatives. I'm currently getting my masters in arts non-profit administration and I've shown this channel to countless colleagues as a sort of what-to-aspire-to example. Also, the work that you do is amazing. Thank you so much for dedicating yourself to it.

The needs of people and animals everywhere - even in our own city - are beyond overwhelming. Perhaps, with small contributions from individuals online - will make a difference. And hopefully those blessed with bigger wallets may open their hearts & eyes to see the neglect & suffering so evident everywhere.

I just read your comments. I am glad that you wrote what you did. My take is a bit different: I DO understand the need for animal-companionship-I am owned by cats myself-but I put the needs of animals and children ahead of myself as they are innocents. There were these cats living in the basement way below street-level at The old World Trade Centre who were rescued from the stygian depths of that Hell after many years. They blossomed. Keeping a cat in a basement is crulety plain and simple. If you wouldn't put your children there, then you wouldn't put an animal there; both are precious and innocent beings.

In brooklyn, I lived with a cat rescuer with 17 cats in our small apartment. She barely had enough money for herself but would steel catfood from petco. We spent a thanksgiving night in 30 degrees going out to random corners in the hood where she knew other cats lived. She would put out food and cats would come out of the woodwork. She also would place cardboard boxes with shredded paper in them. I miss NY. Thanks for the great video

I donate to several organizations, but Flatbush Cats is far and away my favorite because of videos like these- I get to see the good my donations provide. I'm looking forward to seeing the new clinic- you folks are doing such awesome work!

I feel like there should be an org dedicated to these cats, I'm sure that between customers' donations and bodega owners' paying the $200(?) fine there rather than to the city, covering spaying/neutering, shots and other incidental health issues should be possible.

I'm so glad there are store owners willing to take in abandoned / stray cats. It's no "loving home", but shelter, food, and a kind hand is better than what a lot of strays in my community get. Thank you guys so much for providing Free Healthcare for these cats lol

People who neglect kittens while having access to free care should be prosecuted for animal abuse.

Slodkie kochane Koteczki. Dużo zdrówka. Mocno Was przytulam. ❤❤🥰

You and your team are truly Angel’s at work doing the best you can to help the helpless God bless you all ❤

im so glad these kitties are okay now.. they’re so precious

I absolutely love your mission ❤!!!! People like you really make a difference in this world and I am very thankful to you!!! Sending you a big hug from me and my 10 cats from Germany 🤗😻

Thanks!

I would have tried to sympathize with the shop owners if their negligence hadn’t already killed two kittens.

Thank you so much for your kindness and love towards these abandoned and unwanted animals! God bless you abundantly!

Thank you for all the important work you've done! Your videos have inspired me making plans to offer my home to foster cats. I had considered it before but your work gave me the final push. Couldn't be more grateful!

This is so sad and happy at the same time. Thank you for help this family

I donated ♡ I can't overstate how much love and appreciation I have for what you do.

Because of this channel, I've been inspired to help out the people in my community get spay/neuter procedures at a low cost.

Thank you for all that you do for these cats and kittens!!! Truly! ❤️

i told my Ma about you guys! my parents moved to Brooklyn from Long Island about a year ago- growing up we were a dog family and because of some bad encounters i used to be terrified of cats, but since making the effort to understand them i've since welcomed two sweet lil critters into my life and my Ma is thrilled for me, and has been taking an active interest in cats and their wellbeing. there's a lot of cats in their neighborhood, feral and community cats, and it breaks her heart seeing so many of them looking cold, hungry or sickly. so if you ever get inquiries from Louisa street, it could be my Ma 👋😁

Thank you for all the amazing work you are doing; I made a donation last week to support you. Regards from Spain.

This was so hard to watch I couldn't help but tear up. I am glad you are helping these cats. You are amazing people. Thank you.

Thank you for what you’re doing for these kitties and their bodega families. Poor mom kitty getting dumped like that.

Every store should have a couple cats, well cared for of course! They make wonderful greeters as well as rodent control, but should have free access in and out of the basement so they can make their own work schedule and just get love when they want it!

I love your narrative about the cats in this video, there was no shame bashing just a suggestion for help. I am sure that meant the world to the person who was doing his best to provide for them.

My cat was a former bodega cat she was so skinny when I got her I took her to a vet cleaned her up and will pamper her for the rest of her life

Thank you for doing the work you all do. I'm always reminded how happy I am with being a monthly supporter of Flatbush

Poor mama cat... Thank goodness you found her!

Heartbreaking. Thank goodness for Flatbush Cats and others.

Bodega cats are a staple in NYC. They put a smile on peoples faces while protecting the store. ❤❤

Thank you for caring!

You do amazing work for these precious cats….thank you🙏🙏🙏

Thank you so much for what you did for that mother and her babies, my heart broke when I saw and heard that they were not taken care of and those poor kittens that didn't make it..

I’ve thought about this often. Thank you for this discussion.

God bless all of you for doing what you do

Great point u mentioned. It’s the small interactions that bring me so much happiness

I wish I had money to offer but thanks so much for what you do

Your work is so heartwarming. Thank you.

Invaluable work. Thank you for the work you do ❤️

Thanks for all the work you do!

I visit NYC about once a year. Where I live, a bodega is more of like a small space to keep things cool, like wine. So I teach my students about NYC Bodegas and bodega cats. Where I live, having a cat in residence will get your shop closed by the health department so the students are enthralled with the idea. I really didn’t know they lived in such poor conditions. It’s really sad. I thought they had more free-reign.

Thank you for giving cats the happy ending they deserve.

I’m so sorry about all of these cats in these situations. Thank you for making me more aware.

Giving help instead of going in for judgement is the best thing Ive seen from this platform

You guys are the best. Im so glad I give every month and to see that everything helps these fur babies. ❤️❤️🐱

I just updated my Amazon Smile charity to Flatbush Cats. Thank you so much for helping all the cats.

Как здорово, что есть такие заботливые люди!

I'm from Germany and I've never heard of bodega cats. It's truly great that you guys are taking action for these little beans!

Some Korean businesses care for community cats or adopt them as business cats. Many are not fixed, though, or given medical- just food and shelter. I prefer to put my time and money in TNR- one cat at a time. I give my TNR cats a round of vaccines.

This is a great message and said very tactfully, which is how it needs to be said for people to cooperate and feel good about themselves because so many times people feel like s*** about themselves even when they're trying to do a good thing.

It is like the kitten is trying to protect mom from the terrifying hand.

Thank you for everything you do..

You guys are amazing 💜

once i get to financially recover a bit i would love to support you in your quest to help these babies

Thank you for helping them

Oh, so sad. You do such good work, thank you!

Prayers for all those precious fur babies ♥

Love the kitties and the work you do!

This kind of video brightens my day. Commenting to increase engagement. Keep up the good work!

Can you tell us how much you've raised for the spay neuter clinic, and how much is needed to fund the clinic construction and through the first year?

Great video. Great work. Thank you!

This video is amazing. Love you guys.

I'm glad someone is helping these cats, most people don't put any thought into their well being.

Bless your cause I hope it reaches far. Protect the cats

This video really got me, thank you for all you do!!

Thank you for saving them

Eye opening video and please keep it up on making these

Every bodega has a happy one where i live. Greets me every time

I've missed seeing the videos about the kitties. Most I'm viewing now are only some months old... Thank you ... I live outside America but have already donated.

You are beautiful people, thank you so much

This makes me so sad 😭 but also happy that the cats are now getting taken care of

So sad for the kitties. Some people don't realize or can't afford the care. Rather than keep the cat in the basement all the time, suggest they just be sure he/she has access. Living in the basement with no people interaction or access to fresh air and sunlight can't be good for them. If there are mice or rats, they WILL likely go down there to hunt. They just shouldn't be forced to stay there all the time. I have one who will spend hours in the mostly finished basement and bring mice up only to let them go so they can 'play' with it. 🙀 We live in a very wooded, sparsely populated area, so if I can snag the mouse, contain it for a day or 2, it gets a second chance at life somewhere else away from my house! I do wish the local shelters here were not being such jerks. One place decided I was too old to adopt young adults and won't even talk to me (I'm not that old!) The other dithered around for a month and said no with NO reason provided. Now I'm still waiting for my 180 deposit back, probably dragging their feet on that too. Went to another place and they would have let me take the bonded pair I was seeking home that same day!! I hadn't set up yet (they recently came in, were still scared and need slow intro to current cats), didn't bring carriers and since I already had set up a vet appt, I wanted to only disturb them once, so pick up, go right to vet then home to quiet covered pen (4*4, lots of room for litter, food, water, baza bed, covered cubby and a comfy bed - more space than that second shelter provides!!) If I lived closer, I would have tried to get a pair from Flatbush Cats! You know you're getting good ones!! As noted before, my donations are done year end, when I'm sure there's a little extra. ALSO - recommended anyone who uses Amazon to use their smile Amazon (use dots between those with com) you can set up the shelter you want, use search box to find it. It does NOT cost anything, doesn't raise your prices. They donate a small amount for many items (not all) I don't use it much really, but had it set to that second shelter. Not any more! Currently going to new shelter, but won't do much. I encourage others to consider it for their purchases and tell shelters to recommend on their website.

Thank you for this eye opening video.

Good work! Please keep it up. Great video. Thank you.

Thank you for all you do. Just want to say that it is okay for cats to work. Many cats have jobs and live a good life. Ask Larry, the 10 Downing St. chief mouser. As you mention many times, education, assessibilty, and affordability are key.