On this episode of Cattitude, Michelle Fern welcomes author Tamar Arslanian and award-winning pet photographer Andrew Marttila to explore the revised and expanded edition of Shop Cats of New York. These beloved feline residents may not appear on leases or in travel guides, but they are just as essential to New York City as yellow taxis and corner delis. Nestled inside bookstores, record shops, breweries, hotels, and neighborhood businesses, shop cats bring warmth, personality, and magic to the city streets. Tamar and Andrew share heartfelt stories and vivid photography featuring unforgettable cats like Ratty of the East Village stamp shop, bonded duo Patience and Fortitude, and the legendary Jack Daniels Bagley. Beyond celebrating these pampered shop mascots, the book highlights the positive role shop cats play in communities, encourages businesses to embrace feline companions, and inspires rescuers to consider non-traditional, loving homes for cats in need. Equal parts travel guide, tribute, and photo essay, Shop Cats of New York is a love letter to the city—and the cats who make it purr.

EPISODE NOTES: Bodega Bosses & Bookstore Cats: Inside Shop Cats of New York

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