Co-owners of Pounce, Ashley Brooks ’14 and Annaliese Hughes ’14, met during their freshman year as students in the Honors College at the College of Charleston. Once they discovered that they had a mutual affinity for felines, they became the best of friends. That love of cuddly kittens eventually lead to the duo bringing the first cat cafe, Pounce Cat Cafe + Wine Bar, to the Lowcountry.

The concept was an instant success – everyone wanted to cuddle Pounce’s adorable attractions, and so far the business has helped find new homes for more than 490 cats. Yes, you read that number correctly. In less than 10 months, Brooks and Hughes have placed almost 500 kitties into loving arms.