Are cats allowed to roam freely around a private adoption agency in New York State?

I recently moved in to an apartment in Columbia County in New York. I have two neighbors that live downstairs that own a private adoption agency right around the corner. I was walking to the store a couple days ago and to my surprise I saw all of the cats wondering around the the the building where the agency is through the store front. I am from a whole different state and that's not allowed where I used to live. So I was a little shocked to see this!! I thought they had gotten loose. I called the owners who reassured me that it was okay and that they normally do that. Out of curiosity I went online looking for whats allowed around here for that kind of thing. I searched but to no avail. Like I said I'm not from around here. Does anyone know the rules for that kind of thing in New York?