Once Upon A Time…

Erin and Boretta were college friends in 2008 at Mānoa and have shared a bond ever since! They are passionate about taking care of others and saw a dire need of a humane place to board cats in Honolulu. It was during a two-week trip away from Hawai’i when Erin realized that there was no place to take her cat that could provide the comfort and space that she experiences at her own home. Knowing that others feel the same, they pounced on the opportunity to create a luxury cat hotel with full-service grooming and a cat adoption lounge for all cat owners! They envisioned a space that is clean and cage-free with more room to provide attention and love to all kitties!

Read our blog post about the story of our cat hotel and features here.

Erin

Owner

I have a cat named “Twiggy” and a human child, who are the loves of my life! I enjoy traveling, listening to audio books and podcasts, learning about nutrition, being outdoor in nature, and of course drinking coffee!

When I’m around animals and engaging with them, I am the most joyful and fulfilled version of myself,  nothing makes me happier than a good snuggle, knowing I’m also bringing joy to them. I wish I could have a house full of cats, but I believe the opportunity of taking care of Honolulu’s cats is even better!

Boretta

Owner & Groomer

Ever since I could remember, I’ve been an animal lover! Now that I’m older, I’m a proud mother of three cats and a dog, and and two small “hoomans”: they’re all inseparable!

I left my past experiences of retail, administrative work, and skills training for kids with autism to earn my grooming certification and create something not yet existing on island- a luxuriously humane and safe place for cats to stay while their owners are away.

Deidra “Dee”

manager

Aloha Kakou my name Deidra Kaeo! I grew up in Kahalu'u on the Windward side of O’ahu but I currently reside in Alewa Heights. I have always loved animals and I was very lucky to be raised in the country surrounded by pigs, goats, chickens, horses, and many other animals. 

I have spent the last two decades working in the veterinary field as a Veterinary Technician. My background is primarily in surgery, emergency, and rehabilitation. Of course I've I always loved working with cats! Aside from having 4 cats and 4 dogs of my own, I also foster when ever I get the opportunity too! 

When I'm not at Pounce I spend most of my free time hiking the Ko'olau mountain range. I am extremely passionate about the conservation of Native Hawaiian plants and animals. 

Nora

groomer

I have been around dogs and cats my whole life and grew up in a family that truly valued the lives of our pets and their importance to our household. While I was in high school I decided I wanted to try and pursue marine biology, combining the two things that are closest to my heart, animals and the water. I lived in Florida for 5 years and it was there working as a vet assistant that I rescued the two loves of my life “Mako” and “Orion”.

In my free time, I enjoy hanging out with my cats, hiking, reading on the beach, and exploring the ocean and the creatures that call it home. 

The thing I love most about grooming is that it is the one of the best ways to help take care of your pet and make sure they are clean and healthy. Regular maintenance is such a vital part of our lives and I hope to help you take care of your kitties!

Heather

feline care specialist

I was born and raised in Kailua, Oahu. I grew up fostering and learning how to raise healthy, loving Persian kittens with my mom. My passion for cats was instilled in me from a little girl. Now, I am a proud mama to my tortie, Maddie and her best friend Bonnie, who is a sassy chicken.  

I earned my Degree in Public Relations from Suffolk University, in Boston. I am currently attending Leeward Community College studying Chemistry, and I hope to eventually graduate from the University of Hawaii with a focus in Animal Sciences.  

In 2023, I spent a month in Anitgua, Guatemala volunteering at an Eco-Farm where I took on the responsibility of re-homing feral kitties to local families. I then traveled to Puerto Maldonado in Peru to work in the Amazon rainforest conducting jungle conservation and research. I have also traveled to Thailand, Japan and Europe. One of my favorite things to do while traveling is visiting the local cat cafes and animal rescues.  

I have been volunteering at Aloha Animal Sanctuary since 2022 assisting in the care and grooming of pigs, goats, ducks and turkey.  

I love Latin culture and now spend my free time studying Spanish and dancing either Salsa or Bachata.   

Obtaining my role at Pounce has been a dream come true and I feel so fortunate to have a job where I love interacting with my team and clients. Every day I look forward to meeting new animal lovers and spending time with my favorite felines. I strive to make our guests feel safe and loved while at the hotel, and I’m constantly on the prowl for cozy snuggles.  

Tomomi

feline care specialist

Aloha & Hajimemashite (nice to meet you!)

My name is Tomomi, I moved to Hawaii from Japan and lived here in Honolulu about a half of my life. I enjoy relaxing at the beach and taking yoga class. I was working for a travel agency and a five-star hotel in Hawaii but I decided to change my career to this five-star hotel for felines!

I’ve always lived with a dog or a cat all my life and spending time with them makes me so happy. I look forward to coming to work everyday to see all of our feline guests & adoptable kitties and doing my best to make them feel safe and loved so they can stay comfortably at Pounce.  We’ll take good care of your babies like our own while you are away!

Robert

ASSISTANT MANAGER

I grew up in Kailua and currently share my life with three cozy kitties of my own. Two of them I found at Pounce! 

I have always had a love for animals, but I was not allowed to have pets growing up. In my adult life, the desire for a furry companion led to me choosing a career in dog walking and in-home care for the various pets of O’ahu. In recent years, I have found myself in a different line of work…accounting! However, after a while, I found myself missing pet care and decided it was time to search for an additional job in the field I love. The search led me to Pounce.

During my first interaction with the team in 2021 when I was adopting my second fur baby, I was impressed by how much love, care, and attention they pour into what they do. I am proud to now be part of the Pounce family, to share my love of animals, and to make our furry guests stay as warm and comfortable as possible.