UPDATE (11/18): We spoke with our attorney regarding the Meta suspension. Meta's legal team replied with a one-sentence statement confirming their decision but did not explain the alleged policy violation. The case has been escalated to a California law office that handles Meta-related matters. They are reviewing the situation and determining next steps. Meta still has not offered any details about why the accounts were removed or how that decision was made. 

Bodega Cats of New York documented working shop cats across New York City and supported rescue groups for five years. The project raised more than $8,000 for local rescues, built a community of more than 55,000 people, and helped bring public attention to the need for legal protections for bodega cats.

On October 8, 2025, Instagram suspended the account without warning and without explanation. Because it shared credentials with the Cats About Town Tours page, Meta automatically suspended that account as well under its linked-account policy. Both remain offline.

Every appeal pathway was attempted: in-app appeals, Meta Business Support, escalation through a Meta Pro Team representative, identity verification, and a formal demand letter from legal counsel. No process produced a specific violation or access to a human reviewer.

This happened during the same period when Councilmember Keith Powers introduced Int. 1471, the first legislation in NYC history aimed at protecting working shop cats. The work that helped spark that conversation was silenced at the moment it mattered most.

Meta has still not identified the rule it claims was violated.

What the Suspension Impacted

Rescue groups lost a reliable partner for visibility and fundraising. A community of thousands who relied on the page for education and updates lost its central hub. Advocacy tied to pending legislation was interrupted at a critical moment.

These impacts are documented. What cannot be confirmed is the reason for removal, because Meta has refused to provide one.

The Larger Problem

Meta's automated systems can remove legitimate advocacy and small-business accounts with no transparency and no meaningful appeal. Whether this suspension was a mistake or an enforcement error, the absence of human review is the core issue.

What This Petition Requests

Reinstate the Bodega Cats of New York and Cats About Town Tours accounts. A community built over years should not disappear through an automated process with no oversight.

Why Your Signature Matters

This petition is not only about two accounts. It is about establishing a clear, fair process for community-focused accounts that serve the public and should not be removed without explanation.

Sign if you believe platforms owe transparency, evidence, and human review before erasing entire communities.

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The documentation continues. Bodega Cats of New York, a book featuring sixty working cats across the five boroughs, arrives October 2026 from Quarto Publishing. Join the waitlist for pre-order updates.