“The record with video evidence is 15 cats, at one time, inside one 17-foot tent. Denise and Thom Howard never imagined they’d one day be helping people go glamping with hundreds of cats. Originally, the plan was just to help as many cats as possible.
“We started as a home-based rescue in Jacksonville in 2016, just helping neighborhood cats,” Thom Howard told. “My wife, Denise, incorporated as a 501(c)(3) in Florida as Purrapy Inc. in October 2019, just months before the pandemic hit. Then that created an overpopulation wave — including in our Jacksonville home.”
The luxury tents are strategically placed at the heart of the sanctuary, ensuring that while guests are glamping, cats can freely approach from all directions seeking love and affection. Many guests have enjoyed the experience of cats snuggling up with them at night, making their stay even more memorable.
A TikTok featuring the sanctuary and their glamping experience recently went viral, significantly boosting the popularity of Purradise Springs. “Our main three tents stay 80 to 90 percent booked now,” Howard noted. “In fact, I’m not sure we have an available weekend on the main three purrts for about three months.”
The couple, driven initially by a desire to assist homeless cats in their neighborhood, have now made a significant impact on the lives of hundreds of cats and transformed their sanctuary into a highly sought-after vacation destination.