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Purrr Team

Learn about all the wonderful humans who work so hard to keep our kitties happy and healthy.

Tanya Lynn Heller

Tanya Lynn Heller

FOUNDER AND CLOWDER QUEEN
Andrew Heller

Andrew Heller

PRESIDENT AND KITTEN KING
Tanya Lynn Heller

Tanya Lynn Heller

FOUNDER AND CLOWDER QUEEN
Andrew Heller

Andrew Heller

PRESIDENT AND KITTEN KING

Michelle Schecht

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Angie Paul

Angie Paul

DIRECTOR OF OPURRRATIONS
Gail Nicolaus

Gail Nicolaus

GRANT ADMINISTRATOR
Victoria Banister

Victoria Banister

PET CARE MANAGER
Danielle Sanchez

Danielle Sanchez

PURRRFECTION POLICE
Marina McElroy

Marina McElroy

PET CARE SPECIALIST
Shanna Gerathy

Shanna Gerathy

PET CARE SPECIALIST
Jaime Facyson

Jaime Facyson

PET CARE SPECIALIST
Deion Salley

Deion Salley

PET CARE SPECIALIST
Courtney Aulden

Courtney Aulden

PET CARE SPECIALIST
Dr. Ross A. Fischer

Dr. Ross A. Fischer

MEDICAL DIRECTOR
Natalia Hernandez

Natalia Hernandez

WELLNESS ADVOCAT MANAGER
Kevin Alzate

Kevin Alzate

WELLNESS ADVOCAT
Jalynn Gordon

Jalynn Gordon

WELLNESS ADVOCAT
Amy Dombkowski

Amy Dombkowski

COMMUNITY ADVOCAT
Christine Peters

Christine Peters

COMMUNITY ADVOCAT

About Purrr

PURRR’s mission is to rescue, rehome and rehabilitate felines while educating the community about the importance of spay/neuter services.

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PURRR, INC IS A 501(C)(3) TAX-EXEMPT ORGANIZATION WITH TAX ID 82-4205896. PURRR, INC. IS REGISTERED WITH THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND CONSUMER SERVICES TO SOLICIT CONTRIBUTIONS (REGISTRATION NO. CH54963. A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE (800-435-7352) WITHIN THE STATE. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE.
Tanya Lynn Heller
Tanya Lynn Heller
FOUNDER AND CLOWDER QUEEN

Tanya Lynn Heller, our Founder and Clowder Queen, grew up in Michigan loving all kinds of animals. The study of feline behavior has always been a special passion for her. Tanya has worked in Animal Medicine and related industries for over 4 decades. While living in Washington DC, she worked extensively in referral animal medicine, pet stores, and zoos. While working with the Smithsonian and The World Wildlife Federation, she vastly expanded her knowledge of exotics. In Washington DC, Tanya ran the very popular and successful Capital City Ball for over 8 years (a charity that raises awareness and money to fight human trafficking domestically in the United States). Although she did not always work directly in the pet industry, she always worked hard to improve the quality of life for all animals through her fundraising efforts and hands-on volunteering. When Tanya moved to Fort Lauderdale, she and her husband, Andrew Heller, undertook a massive estate renovation. During the first construction phase, the neighbors and contractors discovered Tanya was the perfect person to contact when a stray cat was discovered alive or dead. As the first summer wore on, the amount of calls concerning cats skyrocketed. Tanya rescued, tamed, and placed cats & kittens in the homes of her contractors, her friends, her family, her friend’s families’ contractors… Just about everyone she knew got hit up hard to take on a friendly feline. But just as soon as she placed two kittens, it seemed a new mom kitty with kittens would show up in her back yard. Tanya and Andrew were amazed by the unending flood of kitties wandering around her neighborhood. Though most rescues shy away from working with the truly fractious ferals, Tanya discovered that with great time and saintly patience, most of these furry devils could be turned into warm and loving furry family members.

Tanya, with the generous help of her kind, handsome, and brilliant husband, Andrew, created a cat charity to attack the critical feral cat problem in their community. They created a cat sanctuary where cats can thrive in a loving, safe environment. Tanya and her wonderful staff work tirelessly to trap feral cats and provide behavior therapy to help them live long, happy lives in forever homes. Tanya and her staff at Purrr also work to educate people and cats on how to live harmoniously together.

Currently, Tanya has her own private zoo living at Isla Bahia. Her zoo consists of two tanks of Tropical fish, three conures, a bearded dragon, a box turtle, two sulcata tortoises, 3 guinea pigs, 5 bunnies, two rescue potcake puppies, and multiple clowders of kitties to love!

Tanya enjoys working with all the local shelters, rescues, and charities. She believes it is only by working together that our hard work and combined knowledge will create a better world for Cats!

Andrew Heller
Andrew Heller
PRESIDENT AND KITTEN KING

Andrew Heller has devoted himself to charitable efforts throughout his life. He co-founded Purrr, Inc, in 2019 with his wife, Tanya Lynn Heller, to help capture, spay, neuter, and domesticate feral cats and kittens in Broward County and find forever homes for them. He has deepened his love for animals and regularly helps rehabilitate and care for a variety of rescue cats and dogs including a variety with health challenges such as blindness and other health issues.

Andrew was a Member of the Board of Overseers and of the Graduate Advisory Board of the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania for 21 years. He is a member of the Board of Governors of the NSU Art Museum Fort Lauderdale which is associated with Nova Southeastern University. And he is a member of the Board of Trustees of the Jack and Jill Children’s Center in Fort Lauderdale, FL, a preschool and elementary school serving underprivileged children. He is the Trustee of the Andrew M. Heller Family Foundation.

Professionally, Andrew founded Heller Capital Corporation in 1986. Heller Capital has provided financing for start-up companies and acquisitions in manufacturing, financial services, medical technology, real estate development and finance, and natural resource exploration and development.

Andrew received a BA in Math and Economics from Wesleyan University in Middletown, CT in 1977. And he received an MBA in International Finance from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania in 1979.

Michelle Schecht
Michelle Schecht
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Angie Paul
Angie Paul
DIRECTOR OF OPURRRATIONS

Hi! I’m Angie. My passion for animals has been lifelong and all-consuming. I have never stayed long in a home where I could not have pets (seriously, I bought my first home specifically so that I could have more fur babies). I’ve pranced along many different career paths throughout the years, but helping establish and maintain a strict standard of excellence for Purrr is the first thing I’ve ever done that truly felt like home.

I honed my skills in marketing, planning, and management in the corporate world, earning several awards and commendations along the way, but I always felt like something was missing. Joining Purrr has given me purpose and drive, knowing that even the tiniest thing I do is making the biggest difference in the lives of animals that may otherwise have been looked over. I simply cannot see myself doing anything else – this is my dream job and I look forward to taking Purrr to new heights!

Gail Nicolaus
Gail Nicolaus
GRANT ADMINISTRATOR

My love of felines began at the age of four, when I carried home a stray kitten in my arms and begged my parents to let me keep her. They acquiesced and opened their heart and home to her. She was everything a little girl dreams of for a furry companion – loving, soft, and cute as could be.

Since then, my life has always been made complete with the companionship of felines in my home. I’ve been blessed with many kitties who have lived long lives with me.

It is an honor and privilege to be able to assist the Purrr team raising awareness of Purrr’s mission, helping the community with spay and neuter services, and finding fabulous homes for Purrr’s fortunate felines.

Victoria Banister
Victoria Banister
Pet Care Manager

Hello, fellow cat lovers! My name is Victoria and since I was a little girl my grandfather always said I needed to work with animals for my career. And boy was he right… I couldn’t be happier working and caring for all types of critters. I currently have two cats of my own, who are extremely independent but will always come running for some yummy treats and belly rubs.

Danielle Sanchez
Danielle Sanchez
PURRRFECTION POLICE

Why hello there!
Have you gotten all the way down to my bio?! You must be pretty serious about your love (and interest) for these beautiful felines. Well I’m here to remind you, you’ve come to the right place!

Becoming apart of the Purrr family means your new future Furrr-baby is coming from an incredibly loving, well taken care of and quite possibly spoiled home (how could we not?)… and I’m here to help make sure of that!

I’m lucky enough to have found my fluffy soulmate here, MaxinePancake (10 at year of adoption). Keep your heart open and know we’re loving them they way you will.

Marina McElroy
Marina McElroy
PET CARE SPECIALIST

Hi, my name is Marina, and I am super happy to work for an amazing place like Purrr! Coming into work every day and being around so many furry friends is incredibly heartwarming. Animals are my life and I have the cutest tuxedo rescue-kitty in the world named, Oreo. Who saved who you ask? Oreo saved me!

Shanna Gerathy
Shanna Gerathy
PET CARE SPECIALIST

Jaime Facyson
Jaime Facyson
PET CARE SPECIALIST
Deion Salley
Deion Salley
PET CARE SPECIALIST
Courtney Aulden
Courtney Aulden
PET CARE SPECIALIST

Dr. Ross A. Fischer
Dr. Ross A. Fischer
MEDICAL DIRECTOR

Natalia Hernandez
Natalia Hernandez
WELLNESS ADVOCAT

Hey there everyone, my name is Natalia! My passion for animals has been present my whole life. I have fostered and adopted many pets over the years, and I have the pleasure of being part of the Wellness Advocacy team here at Purrr. My day-to-day consists of making sure all our beautiful babies have the best care possible!

Kevin Alzate
Kevin Alzate
WELLNESS ADVOCAT

Hi! My name is Kevin and I grew up here in South Florida. My love for cats started when I got my first cat, Pepper and now I am proud to share that I have five! Being a Wellness Advocate for Purrr is a lot of fun and I’m grateful to be part of such a wonderful, caring team. It’s kind of Purrrfect!

Jalynn Gordon
Jalynn Gordon
WELLNESS ADVOCAT
Amy Dombkowski
Amy Dombkowski
COMMUNITY ADVOCAT

Christine Peters
Christine Peters
COMMUNITY ADVOCAT