Pounce Cat Cafe + Wine Bar — Restaurant in Charleston

I’ve decided to write a review after reading so many negative ones that relate to age discrimination, sick cats, additional feeds, and reservations. Many people seem to forget the fact that the people who own cat cafes are doing all that they can to help stray cats. They are feeding them. They are providing medical care. Yes it is a business and of course they are going to try to make money off of it because they have to survive also. Just like everyone else, the cat cafe owners have to make an income too otherwise they wouldn’t be able to help the cats in the first place. Every cat cafe has an entrance fee and if you don’t want to pay it, GO TO A SHELTER! Shelters don’t charge so why on earth are you complaining about an entrance fee at a cat cafe? I am always happy to pay a fee to enter cat cafes because it is benefiting the cats that they take in, as well as keeping them in business. Every time I have adopted a cat from a shelter (I’ve adopted 7 cats in my lifetime in several states), they all “appear” to be in perfect health but then once they come home they have diarrhea, vomiting, fleas, worms, they aren’t eating properly, they are unable to walk/jump/move without falling over because they are weak and uncoordinated, etc. Every time I have taken them to the vet after adopting and I have to pay a $100-$300 vet bill and put them on medication for a week or two. Even at shelters, they cannot cure every cat or all of its illnesses, especially when they’re around other sick cats from the shelter that get brought in! The only time I have ever adopted a cat that wasn’t sick when I brought her home was when I adopted her the moment the original owners dropped her off at the shelter and she wasn’t exposed to the other strays. The people who were running the government owned shelter told me that if she were to have been exposed, even for an hour, she could have contracted all kinds of respiratory illnesses, fleas, or other issues.

The point is that cat cafes aren’t perfect. They are still a business and they are still trying to better their community. Although they look more ”glamorous” than a traditional shelter, they are essentially the SAME THING! Please just go to a traditional shelter if you don’t want to pay any extra fees and stop negatively rating things that aren’t based on customer service, professionalism, friendliness, or how an issue was or was not handled after reaching out to the owner (and before writing a negative review). Nine times out of ten, if you reach out to a business before writing a negative review or getting all worked up, they will be glad to take care of...

It pains me to leave a low review for a business that provides opportunities for animals, however, due to poor management, this shop turned what could have been a five star experience into a heartbreaking one.

To ensure I am painting an honest picture, the shop is clean, we found the entry fee reasonable, and it included a drink. I also believe the business ambassador program that they participate in is a great experience for older cats to run around and get some love rather than be cooped up in a cage.

My wife and I visited them while on vacation on 5/5/2021. During our stay, we bonded with a one year old cat. After discussion upon leaving we decided we wanted to take the cat home with us. We called the next day and were informed pickup could not take place until Monday (contrary to what their website said at the time). After my wife called back, the representative she spoke with told her there was "wiggle room" with this "policy". We immediately shifted our plans, cutting our vacation short so we could bring the cat back, purchased supplies and rushed over to Pounce in rush hour traffic only to be turned away. The person in charged appeared to be waiting to turn us away as the receptionist turned us over to them asking if she "wanted to be the one to speak with us".

Upon leaving, my wife called again since something didn't seem right and was informed it was because they "could not file the paperwork with Charleston Animal Society until Monday" amongst other reasons. We have since confirmed with the business ambassador program this is not the case and the cat could've been adopted that day if this shop truly wanted to place her with a good home.

I realize this is a business and not a non-profit or rescue. Unfortunately, their apologies for wasting our time and getting our hopes up can not undo the heartbreaking experience they caused, or return the day our vacation was cut short, or the half day wasted. At the end of the day, this gives off the appearance, this happened simply because the shop didn't want to part with their precious "inventory" before a busy weekend as their profit is likely mainly...

I went in today to see what all the hype was about as I am a new local to the area and a co worker recommended the place to me since I have a rescued cat and spent the past year volunteering for the Animal Friends Rescue Project in Pacific Grove CA.

Taped to the door, a handwritten sign, stated “fully booked until 3pm”. I have minimal knowledge on the establishment other than a quick google search with nothing on the main page saying reservations are needed or strongly suggested for an animal rescue cafe and a local suggestion. I walk in (it’s about 1230pm) and I’m told to come back at 3pm or 5pm at the latest.

I’m sorry but I’m not going to plan my entire day around a rescue cafe on a Sunday, when it is not clearly advertised on the door professionally nor on their main web page, explaining why reservations are suggested or used.

Instead if you search on the website under tabs to visit a location, select Charleston, it’ll say something along the lines of book a reservation “meow”.

I’d really like to see some professional improvements for new locals to the area who are very happy and passionate to support causes such as a cat rescue on their “reservation policy”.

Several professional rescue projects allow public visitors to socialize with the cats or kittens before requesting a private socialization in a separate but supervised room prior to adoption. This reservation policy with out elaborate and proper publicity doesn’t help promote the safe adoption process of kittens or cats, but instead suggests a profit scheme.

I’m open to seeing positive changes from this first experience and hope if I decide to return, I have a...