FieldHaven executive director Makenna Gwatney holds an adorable young kitten event guests had an opportunity to snuggle with.

 

CITRUS HEIGHTS, CA (MPG) – It was a “meow-velous” time to “laugh your tail off” for a good cause on Saturday, April 4, during an evening of comedy which benefited FieldHaven Feline Center.

The low-cost veterinary facility located at 7555 Old Auburn Road in Citrus Heights is looking to open later this summer, said Makenna Gwatney, its executive director.

On stage, and just before the first of six comedians were introduced, Gwatney took time to thank all the partners, supporters and participating sponsors who contributed to help make the sold-out event a success.

Ticket proceeds from the sold-out event and a silent auction will be used to support the purchase of operating room equipment for the new building, Gwatney said.

An estimate of total funds raised from the special evening event was not yet available, she said.

Guests had the opportunity to purchase either general admission or VIP tickets which offered a considerable measure of “cuddle time” with some very adorable young kittens who are almost ready for adoption.

Headliners Sydney Stigerts and Shaheen Khal from the Punchline Comedy Club in Sacramento volunteered their time for the cause, using the center’s backyard gazebo as their main performance stage. The laughs were plentiful throughout the evening as each of the six featured comedians worked an appreciative audience to full effect.

The audience included a who’s who in the local community including Citrus Heights Mayor Marijane Lopez-Taff and past Mayor Dr. Jayna Karpinski-Costa.

The laughs were plentiful throughout the evening as each of the six featured comedians worked an appreciative sold-out audience to full effect.

The new Citrus Heights clinic will help make sure every family and every pet has access to the high-quality, low-cost veterinary services they need, Gwatney said.

She also led the tour of the center, which still has much of the dragon-themed artwork on its inside walls and much of the smaller-scale furniture from its earlier use as a childcare center.

“We’re hoping to make use of the existing furnishings as possible, and we’d love to carry on the original dragon-themed artwork that generations of families remember,” she said.

Interior renovations should start soon. Gwatney is hopeful that the work won’t take long to complete.

“We’re waiting for the city of Citrus Heights to approve our construction permits and we hope that is soon,” she said.

Once construction begins, existing carpeting will soon be removed and the existing concrete floor will be refurbished, she said. The build out of both office and surgical spaces and construction of an Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant bathroom will then need to be completed, she said.

The property on Old Auburn Road was previously well known for its metal sculpture of a playful dragon on the roof and was once the home to Citrus Heights Preschool for decades until it closed abruptly in the spring of 2024. The City of Citrus Heights finalized the purchase of the property at the end of October 2024.

In August, the Citrus Heights City Council approved a temporary 18-month pilot phase lease agreement with the Lincoln-based FieldHaven Feline Center at the cost of one dollar to open a local clinic.

Once open, the clinic will offer affordable spay/neuter surgeries, low-cost vaccines and microchipping to help keep pets safe.

The interior of the former childcare center still has much of the original dragon-themed artwork on its inside walls.

The need is substantial as the city of Citrus Heights has a substantial feral cat population, and the new FieldHaven Feline Center which will offer low-cost spay/neuter services will open just in time for kitten season when the population increases, Gwatney said.

FieldHaven Feline Center is a non-profit organization dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation and adoption of cats and kittens throughout Placer and Sacramento County.

Pricing for spaying and neutering is $65 for feral cats and $150 for owned cats, including vaccines and microchipping, according to FieldHaven’s website.

Through innovative programs and community partnerships, FieldHaven works to ensure every cat can live a safe, healthy and loved life, according to its website. 

“Spike”, the rooftop dragon will remain on the top of the building but may look a little more cat-like when building renovations are completed, Gwaltney said.

Gwaltney also recognized the support of community partners which include Berkeley Humane Society, UC Davis Veterinary Teaching Hospital, UC Davis Koret Shelter Medicine Program, Citrus Heights Pet Hospital, Placer County Animal Services, Front Street Animal Shelter and many others who have provided critical donations of operating room equipment.

“We’re also looking for general volunteers and trained medical staff once we’re open to join us. Veterinary students and techs who want to gain surgical and field experience will also be welcome in to help assisting in the day-to-day operations of the clinic,” Gwaltney said.

For more information about adoption, volunteering or supporting FieldHaven, visit fieldhaven.com or call: 916-434-6022.