On March 15, the South Florida community united in catpassion to celebrate “Cats + Hard Hats,” marking a major milestone in building the new home of the Ayers Feline Adoption Center at PURRR Adoption + Sanctuary (PURRR).
Feline fanatics enjoyed bubbles and brunch bites while toasting to committed supporters Jon and Helaine Ayers’ $1 million leadership gift to advance the expansion of PURRR’s services and deepen its impact in the community. The event kicked off PURRR’s capital campaign, “Unite in Catpassion.” The campaign supports the development of the Ayers Feline Adoption Center, a major expansion that will increase medical capacity, spay + neuter services, and adoption opportunities for cats across South Florida.
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 began on March 16, and the project is expected to be completed by Q1 of 2027.
“Cats + Hard Hats represents far more than the renovation of a new building; it represents the future of compassionate care for cats in our community,” said PURRR Founder Tanya Lynn Heller. “We are grateful to Jon and Helaine Ayers for leading the way with their extraordinary leadership gift to launch our ‘Unite in Catpassion’ capital campaign. Together, we are creating a space that will allow PURRR to expand lifesaving services, welcome more adoptable cats, and connect more families with the joy of feline companionship. This new center will also allow us to increase spay + neuter services and provide critical medical care for cats who might otherwise go without it.”
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.
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.
