The World's Most Charming Bookstore Cats
Meet the feline hosts who make independent bookstores even more memorable.
There are few places in the world that invite us to slow down quite like an independent bookstore. The shelves encourage wandering rather than rushing. Conversations happen naturally. Recommendations are handwritten instead of generated by algorithms. Every visit feels a little different from the last.
And then, every so often, you notice a cat.
Our first memorable encounter came at E. Shaver, Bookseller in Savannah, Georgia. Wandering through the bookstore's cozy rooms, we discovered that we weren't the only ones exploring the shelves. One of the store's resident cats had quietly claimed a comfortable chair, watching visitors with complete indifference before eventually stretching out for another afternoon nap. It felt perfectly natural—as though bookstores had always belonged to cats just as much as they belonged to readers.
The more we traveled, the more we noticed the same delightful pattern. Independent bookstores around the world seemed to share their shelves with feline companions. Some greet customers at the front door. Others spend the day sleeping in sunny windows, curled atop stacks of books, or quietly supervising the day's browsing from behind the register.
Perhaps that's because bookstores and cats seem to speak the same language. Neither is in much of a hurry. Both reward curiosity. Both invite us to linger a little longer than we planned.
While putting together this collection, we discovered Brandon Schultz's wonderful book, Bookshop Cats, a charming celebration of bookstore felines from around the world. Rather than trying to recreate that remarkable book, we've chosen a handful of our own favorites—including several not featured in its pages—and we'll continue adding new discoveries as readers share them with us. (Learn more about this wonderful book on our Bookshop.org shelf.)
A Growing Collection of Bookstore Cats
E. Shaver, Bookseller — Savannah, Georgia
Located in Savannah's historic district, E. Shaver, Bookseller is beloved for its welcoming atmosphere, thoughtfully curated rooms, and its resident cats. They have become part of the bookstore's identity, often greeting visitors or finding the perfect sunny place to nap while customers browse.
Shakespeare and Company — Paris, France
One of the world's most iconic English-language bookstores has welcomed generations of resident cats over the decades. Their quiet presence has become part of the magic of visiting this legendary literary landmark, where readers and writers from around the world continue to gather.
The Iliad Bookshop — Los Angeles, California
With more than 100,000 used and rare books, The Iliad Bookshop is one of Southern California's great independent bookstores. Resident cats Apollo and Zeus have become beloved fixtures, helping make every visit feel even more memorable.
Barter Books — Alnwick, England
Housed inside a beautifully restored Victorian railway station, Barter Books is famous for its fireplaces, comfortable reading spaces, and endless shelves of books. Its resident cats seem perfectly at home among one of Britain's most enchanting bookstores.
Wild Geese Bookshop — Franklin, Indiana
Wild Geese Bookshop became home to Quimby after partnering with a local animal rescue during Independent Bookstore Day. Today, the friendly cat has become one of the bookstore's best-known personalities, delighting visitors almost as much as the books themselves.
Weiser Antiquarian Books — New York City
Known internationally for rare and antiquarian books, Weiser Antiquarian Books has also been home to resident bookstore cats over the years. Their quiet companionship feels especially fitting among shelves devoted to centuries of history and scholarship.
Old Florida Book Shop — Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Specializing in rare books, maps, and vintage publications, the Old Florida Book Shop has welcomed readers since 1978. Resident cat Peter has become a familiar face to visitors and regularly appears in the bookstore's own photos and social media.
Ophelia's Books — Seattle, Washington
For decades, Ophelia's Books has embraced the tradition of bookstore cats. The shop itself was named after its original feline resident, and today's cats continue that welcoming legacy for customers who stop in to browse.
Booktenders — Barboursville, West Virginia
Booktenders is home to Copper, a rescue cat who has become part of the bookstore's personality. Like so many bookstore cats, Copper reminds visitors that independent bookstores are as much about community as they are about books.
MacLeod's Books — Vancouver, British Columbia
Anyone who has wandered through the towering stacks of MacLeod's Books knows the store feels wonderfully timeless. Its longtime association with resident cats only adds to the charm of one of Canada's most unforgettable used bookstores.
More Than Just Cats
Of course, bookstore cats aren't really why we visit these places.
We visit because independent bookstores still offer something increasingly rare: the chance to slow down, browse without purpose, and discover something unexpected. They are places built around curiosity rather than convenience, conversation rather than transactions. Every store has its own personality, shaped by the people who run it and the community that supports it.
The cats simply seem to understand that better than anyone. Maybe that's why they fit so naturally among the shelves. They remind us to linger a little longer, to find a comfortable chair, and to enjoy the simple pleasure of being surrounded by stories.
Have You Met a Bookstore Cat?
We're always looking to add new feline booksellers to this growing collection.
Have you discovered a wonderful bookstore cat during your travels? Tell us where you met them in the comments, or tag Travelreads on Instagram with your photos. We'd love to continue growing this celebration of the world's most charming bookstore cats—one bookstore, one journey, and one unforgettable feline at a time.
