Jabal the Park Slope Bodega Cat Returns Home After Neighborhood Search
Jabal, the Park Slope bodega cat whose disappearance stirred up neighbors, is back at Eighth Street Mini Market. His owner, Imad Innab, said the cat was brought to a local precinct and returned Tuesday, ending a search that quickly became a neighborhood effort.
According to Innab, Jabal was dropped off at a local precinct earlier in the day. When the cat came back, Innab said he was crying tears of joy. He also said he did not know of any arrests and did not really care, because getting Jabal home was the only outcome he wanted. Jabal sounded ready to put the whole thing behind him. Innab said he was very happy to be back, running around the store nonstop.
The whole episode began outside the market. Innab said he let Jabal explore in front of the shop, and the cat vanished soon after. The mystery did not stay a mystery for long. When Innab checked the security tape, he said he saw two people carrying Jabal away.
That footage helped turn one missing cat into a neighborhood cause. People in Park Slope made flyers and raised money to help find Jabal and the people seen taking him. A neighbor said the cat had become symbolic of something larger, and that the community rallied because the incident seemed so unnecessary.
The story also landed in a place with strong local ties. Innab, whom many people know as Jimmy, has been something like family in the close knit community for nearly 40 years. He had only had Jabal for about a month, but the cat already mattered deeply to him. Innab said he got Jabal after the death of Victoria, his former cat, earlier this year. Victoria had been with him for 17 years. That history helps explain why Jabal's return drew such a strong response.
Why familiar cats disappear
Cats that live around shops or apartment blocks often build strong routines, but they are still curious, territorial animals. A sudden noise, an open delivery door, a chase, or being accidentally shut inside a basement, garage, stairwell, or vehicle can interrupt that routine fast.
Many missing cats stay closer to home than people expect. Frightened cats often go quiet, hide in tight spaces, and move more at dawn, dusk, or overnight. Confident cats may keep traveling, especially if they are used to greeting strangers or wandering between feeding spots.
How a neighborhood search works best
Start close and search slowly. Look under stoops, behind trash bins, inside sheds, alleys, parked cars, and shared building spaces. Ask neighbors, delivery workers, supers, and local shop staff to check places a cat could be trapped.
Use familiar scents and sounds. A used blanket, bedding, or the caretaker’s unwashed clothing near the usual doorway can help. Calling in a calm voice during quieter hours is often more effective than a loud group search. Post a clear recent photo, note any medical needs, and check local shelters and veterinary clinics repeatedly because intake and reports can lag.
How to lower the risk next time
Microchipping and a collar with a breakaway safety release give a found cat two ways home. Keep photos current, including close shots of the face and any unusual markings. If a cat has a job greeting customers or keeping rodents away, set feeding times and a reliable indoor sleeping spot so returning home stays part of the routine.
For adventurous cats, door discipline matters. Watch deliveries, propped doors, and windows, and teach everyone nearby who is allowed to handle the cat and who to call if it vanishes.
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