Florist adopts resident senior bodega cat to finally live the comfy, cozy life after 10 years of never having a space to call home: 'She's never been outside of our store'

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Blake Seidel • Managing Editor & Brand Manager
Dec 7, 2025 11:00 AM EST

We're not going to lie, we've fallen prey to the charms of more than one bodega cat. But, as cute as it is to have a purrsonal friend while shopping for snacks, we can't help but think how they would be so much happier in a loving, safe home. Sure, a bodega where everyone loves them and they get lots of treats is better than nothing, but it can't compare to a pawrent who takes care of their every whim and fancy. Some bodega cats do get their happy endings though, like 'Matzo'!

A florist joined a NY shop where Matzo lived, and the two quickly became inseparable. Matzo wasn't really cared for before she arrived, but she started cleaning her, giving her better food, bought her a bed, etc. Well, the shop is about to be renovated, so this florist decided to finally take Matzo home fur good! Now Matzo is living the comfy, cozy life after living in the bodega for 10 years. Now, she finally has a place to call home. 

Sure, it will be an adjustment for both of them, but we're sure that Matzo will adjust to her new life quickly, once she realizes all the perks it comes with. See more of Matzo and her story below!

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    Hi everyone! I work at a florist in NYC and we have a "bodega cat" that has been living here for about 10 years.
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    She's never been outside of our store, she's the friendliest cat I've ever met in my life and she has bonded to me ever since I started working here a few years ago (she was not well taken care of before I started working here, just litter box and whatever cheap food they could find.) I immediately started buying her different food, gave her a bed and toys, and clean her whenever I can, and she has now become my baby and follows me around all day and snuggles me!
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    Standard 28 Av PARK & RIDE FET MUNICIPAL DPARKING
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    She's never been to a vet before, received any vaccinations, never been groomed, etc. The store is about to be renovated so she is officially coming home to live with me!
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  • All we have to say is - it's about time! After 10 years of living in a tiny bodega, Matzo is more than overdue for some rest and relaxation. For some peace and quiet, lots of Churus, and long, uninterrupted naps in the sun.

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    I'm looking for advice on how to proceed. First thought in my mind is grooming. I brush her daily and use pet wipes to wipe her off, but she definitely severely needs a bath before she can come into my home.
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    I'm assuming groomers need proof of vaccinations before they will welcome a cat into their office, which she has none of.
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    So I'm looking for advice on what kind of vaccines are necessary (I know rabies for sure but wondering what else is absolutely necessary.) Bonus points if you live in Queens or NYC area and know of any places that could do both the grooming and vaccinations all at once.
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    I know this is going to be a big adjustment for her so I want to get as much done at once instead of shuffling her from office to office before ending up in her new home.
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  • Any change is a big change for a cat, but since the two are already bonded, we think that Matzo won't have any trouble at all. A few days and she'll be her loving, perky self, just you wait and see.

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    I want her to spend the remainder of her life cozy in my house, not spending all nights alone in the cold flower shop with no snuggles.
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    She is the sweetest cat I've ever met and deserves a loving home, so any advice on how to make this transition easier for her would mean the world to me.
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    charliebucketsmom 1d ago What a great post to read! I'm so happy for you both. I have vet recs in different boroughs, if you'd like them. In NYC, rabies is required and the FVCRP is strongly suggested since it protects against a combo of airborne illnesses (like at the vet).
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    As far as the transition into your home, she should have a "safe room" to help her slowly acclimate to all of the new smells and sights. We (and almost every rescuer and our adopters) use our bathroom with a full cat set up for a week. This might be a solution
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    for the grooming- rabies and check up, safe room for a week, then grooming. Cats want to be clean, but if they are in a stressful environment where they have to be "on" constantly, they won't groom as much. You could see what she is able to do on her own and then assess what grooming needs she has from there.
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    washington_705 · 1d ago I have nothing to add just wanted to say I love this story for both of you! It's so sweet that she will have a forever home and someone to snuggle at night instead of being alone. Best of luck and please post some pics of her at some point if possible.
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    Altruistic_Aide_8303 1d ago That's really sweet of you to take her in. First stop should definitely be a vet visit for a full checkup, vaccines, and bloodwork since she's older. Most vets can give her a basic grooming or recommend someone who handles
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    unvaccinated cats safely. Once she's cleared, just give her a quiet space at home to adjust and let her explore on her own time. Sounds like she's going to love her new life with you.
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    Smarterthanthat 1d ago Petsmart has an affordable vet for shots. She can go straight from there to the groomers. She'll need a rabies and distemper. Often, there are rabies clinics sponsored by local shelters. She has been spayed, right?
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    merlyn13 • 22h ago I have just one more suggestion. Since your home doesn't have her scent in it, I would recommend maybe getting another bed so that she has one to use in safe room. Then put the other bed
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    somewhere else in your home. Do the same thing with blankets, toys and anything that she'll be using outside of her safe room. The purpose is to spread her scent around the home. This way she will recognize her scent and hopefully doesn't start marking
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    (marking is usually done by peeing in different places). A lot of cat parents, particularly first time cat parents, don't realize cats prefer to smell their scent when moving to a new place. Many cats, especially the elderly ones end up in shelters because the parents don't realize cats will scent mark a new home if you don't do it for them before they arrive.
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    Consistent_Cheetah78 7h ago • There is a lot of good advice here but, one thing I would not do is keep her in a bathroom and most certainly do not put her cat box in the tub. It can be pretty slippery in there and make her life difficult. Then you'll have a cat soiling outside
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    the litter box. Put her box where you are going to keep it. Try not to move it around. Also, consider getting Dr. Easley's Cat Attract for the litter and some pheromone plug ins that will help keep her calm.
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    As for grooming... you can get her shots and grooming at PetSmart. They have veterinary services and grooming. Can get it done all at the same place. Might need to make an appointment. If it is too expensive, Humane Society has low cost services available. You
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    might even need an appointment. Just her up to date shots, tags, get her triple tested, dewormed, and check for ear mites, etc. then you can bring her to be groomed. I recently did the same to a stray
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    just last week. Gave him a bath first though because he was dirty! Might be difficult for you if you have never done it before. You don't have to give cats a bath very often... they keep themselves pretty clean.
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adoption florist cozy animal rescue adopted comfy feline cat rescue forever home Cats senior cats loving Bodega Cats animals rescue
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