PURRR Adoption + Sanctuary To Host “Cats + Hard Hats” Construction Kickoff

The event will commence with a reception from 12 to 12:45 p.m. The ceremony will begin at 12:45 p.m. with remarks from PURRR Adoption + Sanctuary Founder Tanya Lynn Heller, Interim Executive Director Ken Hansted and Veterinarian and Board Member Dr. Ross Fischer.

Following the ceremony, guests are invited to take a guided tour of PURRR Adoption + Sanctuary, where representatives will share details about the vision for the new Ayers Feline Adoption Center and programming. Feline residents will greet guests along the way.

Committed supporters Jon and Helaine Ayers are setting a transformative example with a generous $1 Million leadership gift to advance the expansion of PURRR’s services and deepen its impact in the community.

“PURRR is a meaningful part of the solution for cats in South Florida. Their spay + neuter clinic, rescue efforts, and sanctuary programs offer practical support in a community where the need is tremendous. I’m glad to help strengthen the impact they’re already making for the cats who depend on them,” said Jon Ayers, former CEO of IDEXX and a longtime champion for feline welfare. He focuses his philanthropy, especially in Broward County, on expanding spay + neuter access and supporting community-based care for cats who have nowhere else to turn.

Their investment will help usher in a new era for PURRR, centered on greater access, enhanced care and expanded opportunities for both cats and the families who love them. Through their philanthropy, the Ayers are strengthening PURRR’s infrastructure while investing in a compassionate, sustainable future for cats across the community.

This expansion, led by FLM Construction, includes a comprehensive renovation of PURRR’s surgical center, allowing the organization to increase surgical operations from two days a week to five. The renovation will encompass 3,000 square feet on the first level and an additional 3,000 square feet on the second level, significantly expanding the organization’s footprint.

PURRR will expand its surgical suite to accommodate two to three surgical tables, further increasing capacity and enabling the team to serve more cats in need. The enhanced medical space will include an on-site laboratory and 11 designated living areas for cats, including quarantine, isolation and nursery spaces designed to ensure safety, recovery and comfort.

By significantly expanding its medical capabilities, PURRR will reduce wait times and provide critical spay + neuter services, vaccinations and other lifesaving procedures. The organization will also broaden its commitment to accessibility by offering more affordable medical services, helping ensure cost is never a barrier to responsible pet ownership.

The enhanced facility will create additional space to house and showcase adoptable cats, increasing adoption opportunities and helping more animals find safe, loving homes. The center will also serve as an educational hub, providing pet owners with resources, guidance and community support.

Plans include the creation of a welcoming cat café and lounge, where visitors can spend time with adoptable cats in a relaxed environment while enjoying light refreshments. A dedicated flex space will host community education programs and other interactive events, such as kitty yoga.

Construction for the Ayers Feline Adoption Center will begin on March 16, and the project is expected to be completed by Q1 of 2027.

Founded in 2018, PURRR Adoption + Sanctuary is a 501(c)(3) NonProfit Organization with a mission to transform cats' lives one PURRR at a time, through rescue, adoption, and spay + neuter initiatives that help reduce overpopulation and ultimately enrich the human-feline connection. PURRR is committed to giving cats and their companions a better future by offering a safe haven and encouraging responsible pet ownership.

PURRR’s team and volunteers bring a wealth of experience and compassion to everything they do. From adoptions to spay + neuter services, every aspect of PURRR is driven by a deep love for cats and a commitment to their well-being.

Members of the media are invited to attend and cover the event and may do so by RSVPing to: PURRR@dureeandcompany.com by March 13th, 2026.

When:

Sunday, March 15, from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Where:

PURRR Adoption + Sanctuary

1556 East Commercial Boulevard

Oakland Park, Florida 33334

How:

For more information and to RSVP, please email: info@purrr.org.

About PURRR Adoption + Sanctuary:

Founded by Tanya Lynn Heller in 2018, PURRR Adoption + Sanctuary is a 501(c)(3) NonProfit Organization with a mission to transform cats' lives one PURRR at a time. Through rescue, adoption, and spay-and-neuter initiatives, PURRR’s passionate team of cat lovers are dedicated to helping reduce overpopulation and enrich the human-feline connection. PURRR’s dedicated team works to create a better future for cats and their companions by providing safe haven and promoting responsible pet ownership across South Florida. PURRR’s team and volunteers are driven by a deep love for cats and bring a wealth of experience and compassion to everything they do.

For more information about PURRR Adoption + Sanctuary, please visit: https://www.purrr.org

For more information about rescue, adoption, and spay + neuter initiatives, email: info@purrr.org. Or call: (954) 745-0801. Follow along on Social Media on Facebook and Instagram.