New York’s Beloved Shop Cats Return for Second Act in Revised and Expanded Book

Beloved feline employees across NYC storefronts star in revised and expanded “Shop Cats of New York” hitting shelves this fall

NEW YORK, NY, September 9, 2025 — Cat lovers and Big Apple enthusiasts have something special to purr about this September. The beloved book Shop Cats of New York is making a comeback with a revised and expanded edition, featuring 45 of the city’s most charming feline workers—20 of whom are brand new to the collection.

Nearly a decade after the original 2016 edition captured hearts and became a surprise hit, authors Tamar Arslanian and photographer Andrew Marttila have returned to document the ever-evolving world of New York’s shop cats. The new hardcover edition, published by Hachette Book Group’s Running Press imprint, is available starting today, September 9, 2025, at your favorite bookseller.

A Decade of Changes in the Big Apple

The timing couldn’t be more perfect for this update. As Marttila explains, “Most of those cats [in the first edition] have since passed,” making this revised edition both a celebration of new feline stars and a touching tribute to those who came before.

The original book went quietly out of print during the COVID-19 pandemic, but demand from cat enthusiasts and the unique stories of NYC’s working cats inspired the duo to create this expanded version. The new edition introduces readers to cats working in bookstores, bodegas, firehouses, art supply stores, and even a whiskey distillery.

Meet the Stars

Georgie the shop cat at MooShoes – Photo Credit: Andrew Marttila

Among the featured felines is Georgie, an 11-year-old orange-and-white tabby who has been the dedicated greeter for nearly a decade at MooShoes, a vegan shoe store on the Lower East Side at 78 Orchard Street. Store owner Erika Kubersky rescued Georgie from the streets, and she now boasts over 16,000 followers of her @shopcatgeorgie TikTok account while serving as an in-house therapist for customers.

“If a customer comes in, she’ll decide to lap-warm people,” Kubersky says, adding that neighbors often stop by just to visit their favorite shop mascot.

Ralphie the shop cat at The Compleat Sculptor – Photo Credit: Andrew Marttila

Then there’s Ralphie, a cross-eyed 9-year-old gentleman cat who works at The Compleat Sculptor located at 110 West 19th in Chelsea. Despite the bustling 27,000-square-foot warehouse filled with heavy machinery and stone pallets, Ralphie remains unfazed, greeting artists with his signature bow tie and calm demeanor.

Ratty the shop cat at Casey Rubber Stamps – Photo Credit: Andrew Marttila

At Casey Rubber Stamps at 322 East 11TH Street in the East Village, visitors can meet Ratty the Catty—a calico with attitude who was photographer Marttila’s favorite subject to capture. Originally rescued to catch mice (a job she notably refuses to do), Ratty now serves as the store’s unofficial greeter from her favorite window perch.

These are just a few of the adorable working felines that you will meet in the pages of Shop Cats of New York.

The Art Behind the Photos

Marttila’s approach to photographing these working cats is rooted in patience and respect. “I go into the situation and I befriend the cats, first and foremost,” he explains. “I let the cats be themselves. The best pictures of animals are when they’re comfortable—and most of the animals in New York are used to people being around all the time.”

The photographer, who has had his work featured in major publications including Vanity Fair, The Guardian, and CNN, spent a week shooting the new cats for this expanded edition. Marttila is also the co-author of the recently popular Cats of the World and author of other acclaimed cat photography books including Cats on Catnip and How to Take Awesome Photos of Cats.

More Than Just Cute Faces

What makes Shop Cats of New York special isn’t just the adorable photography—it’s the deeper story about urban community and animal welfare. Arslanian, who built her career in NYC advertising before becoming a cat blogger, discovered something surprising during her research.

“For me, the most eye-opening part of the project was going into it feeling a little bad for them, but then learning they have it better than my own home cats,” she reveals. These shop cats receive constant social stimulation from customers and often have dedicated veterinary care, like Ralphie who has a vet make house calls to The Compleat Sculptor.

Some shops go above and beyond for their feline employees. Myers of Keswick keeps a “family calendar” of appointments for 4-year-old Grace, who routinely wins employee of the month for her mouse-hunting skills at the British goods store. Grace even has her own merchandise line—a testament to how beloved these working cats become in their communities.

For urban dwellers who can’t have pets due to apartment restrictions, these shop cats offer a perfect solution. As Marttila puts it: “Maybe not everyone has space in their apartment, but you can visit a shop down the street—and [those cats] always have a multitude of friends.”

Supporting Cat Welfare

Arslanian’s commitment to feline welfare extends beyond her writing. She serves as a board member of Mission Meow, a nonprofit organization dedicated to cat rescue and welfare. At home in NYC, she shares her space with three rescue cats and a rotating number of foster cats, embodying the same spirit of care and community that makes the shop cats so special.

A Unique Part of City Life

“To me, it’s such a unique and integral part of the city,” says Arslanian. “They’re everywhere, but not everyone notices them. They’re a soft underbelly of the city. They just bring such warmth to each shop, they have their own fan base and they create their own little communities. In a weird way, it makes the city smaller.”

The 224-page coffee table book captures this special relationship between New York’s shop cats and their human communities.

Perfect Timing for Cat Lovers

With its publication date of September 9, 2025, Shop Cats of New York (Revised and Expanded) arrives in time for the upcoming holiday gift-giving season. The hardcover edition measures 7.55 x 9.5 inches and features gorgeous full-color photography that brings each cat’s personality to life.

Whether you’re a longtime New Yorker, a visitor to the Big Apple, or simply a cat enthusiast anywhere, this expanded edition promises to deliver the same charm that made the original a beloved classic while introducing a whole new generation of NYC’s most dedicated feline employees.

Shop Cats of New York (Revised and Expanded) by Tamar Arslanian and Andrew Marttila is available now at your favorite bookseller.