This SC cat cafe near Myrtle Beach entertains and saves feline lives. Check it out

Eleanor Nash

You might happen upon a storefront of snoozing cats while strolling through historic Georgetown, about an hour south of Myrtle Beach. Stop into Purr and Pour, the only cat cafe on the Grand Strand.

To experience Purr and Pour, visitors ages 2 and up must purchase a ticket, which includes time with the cats and a beverage. The 12 to 15 felines inside come from Saint Frances Animal Center in Georgetown and are available to be adopted.

Patricia Devine-Harms, owner and “purr-prietor,” opened the cat cafe in 2019. Since then, Purr and Pour has adopted out 296 cats. Visitors come to spend time with grandkids, de-stress, or help socialize the animals.

Visitors to the Purr and Pour cat cafe’ in Georgetown, S.C. can play with over a dozen felines that are up for adoption through Saint Frances Animal Center while having a beverage of choice. January 18, 2023.
Visitors to the Purr and Pour cat cafe’ in Georgetown, S.C. can play with over a dozen felines that are up for adoption through Saint Frances Animal Center while having a beverage of choice. January 18, 2023.

Devine-Harms estimated that one in 20 visitors brings home a cat. Adopting from a cat cafe allows prospective pet owners to get to know the cats better.

“A traditional shelter environment is stressful for cats, for visitors, for the staff,” Devine-Harms said. “So a cat cafe is a way to assist the shelter in increasing adoptions.”

The cat cafe accounts for 20% of Saint Frances Animal Center’s yearly adoptions, giving the no-kill shelter space to rescue more pets.

“We want people moving into the area that are establishing themselves and want a pet and want to adopt,” Devine-Harms said.

Purr and Pour welcomes a mixture of overlooked cats, such as older cats, shy cats, black cats and more outgoing ones, who can help bring the shyer ones out of their shells.

Visitors to the Purr and Pour cat cafe’ in Georgetown, S.C. can play with over a dozen felines that are up for adoption through Saint Frances Animal Center while having a beverage of choice. January 18, 2023.
Visitors to the Purr and Pour cat cafe’ in Georgetown, S.C. can play with over a dozen felines that are up for adoption through Saint Frances Animal Center while having a beverage of choice. January 18, 2023.

Johanna Imperial and her fiance recently drove down from Myrtle Beach to visit Purr and Pour.

“My Tiktok is full of cats and I’m like, ‘You know what? Maybe I should hang around cats and see if we get along.,” she said.

Despite being a professed dog person, Imperial cuddled up with Chili, a 10-year-old gray cat.

“I think I’m converting myself into being a cat person because they are so cute,” she said.

Gaynor Herbert was visiting downtown Georgetown from Charleston and saw the cats in the window. Herbert had already befriended one of the cats.

“I just sat down and Smitty came and sat on my lap,” Herbert said.

A cat named ‘Leroy’ sits in the window of the the Purr and Pour cat cafe’ in Georgetown, S.C. where visitors can play with over a dozen felines that are up for adoption through Saint Frances Animal Center while having a beverage of choice. January 18, 2023.
A cat named ‘Leroy’ sits in the window of the the Purr and Pour cat cafe’ in Georgetown, S.C. where visitors can play with over a dozen felines that are up for adoption through Saint Frances Animal Center while having a beverage of choice. January 18, 2023.

Purr and Pour Cat Cafe

908 Front Street, Georgetown

1 hour visit: $10.50 for adults 13+, $6.50 for children ages 2 to 12. Includes either an alcoholic or non-alcoholic drink.

No ticket required to visit the cat-free gift shop and dining area.

Reservations recommended on weekends.

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