A second building on the same property at 7569 Old Auburn Blvd. was also part of the city’s purchase and is being used by FieldHaven for temporary office space until the main building renovations are completed. 

CITRUS HEGHTS, CA (MPG) - Makenna Gwatney, executive director of FieldHaven Feline Center in Lincoln, is assuring the public that plans for a new low-cost veterinary facility at 7555 Old Auburn Road in Citrus Heights are moving forward. An opening date has not yet been announced.

In a phone interview, Gwatney said she wanted to clarify some of the public’s misconceptions about why the opening of the Citrus Heights facility has been delayed, and to characterize the quality of the ongoing relationship FieldHaven has with the city of Citrus Heights as unexpected heating, ventilation and cooling (HVAC) issues on the rooftop of 7555 Old Auburn Blvd. are currently being addressed.

The Citrus Heights FieldHaven clinic was initially projected to open in spring 2026, she said.

“We (FieldHaven) have had an excellent relationship with the city of Citrus Heights,” she said. “They’ve been helpful in listening to our concerns (regarding the main building) and working towards getting interior renovations started,” she said.

“And we’re still very excited about the opening of the clinic once these problems are resolved,” she said.

The city of Citrus Heights did not respond to a request for comment regarding the status of physical improvements of the main building at press time.

FieldHaven Feline Center is a non-profit organization based in Lincoln which is dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation and adoption of cats and kittens throughout Placer and Sacramento County. Through innovative programs and community partnerships, FieldHaven works to ensure every cat can live a safe, healthy and loved life, according to its website. 

The main building at 7555 Old Auburn Blvd. was well known for decades as the home of the Citrus Heights Preschool and features a metal sculpture of a playful dragon on its roof. The school abruptly closed in the spring of 2024, and the city finalized its purchase of the property at the end of October of that year.

The former preschool’s rooftop electrical and HVAC systems were recently upgraded by the city, but later found inadequate for the facility’s expected needs, including surgical wards, patient recovery areas and administrative spaces, Gwatney said.

Part of the lease agreement required the city to remodel portions of the building before the cat clinic could move into the building.

“Once this HVAC and electrical work is taken care of, necessary interior work can also begin to bring the main bathroom of the building previously designed for young children into required Americans with Disability Act (ADA) compliance,” Gwatney said.

Other work is to include the removal of existing carpeting, the refurbishment of concrete flooring and the buildout of office and surgical spaces, Gwatney said.

Once open, the center will offer affordable, local spay/neuter surgeries, vaccinations and microchipping services to address the veterinarian shortage and reduce barriers to care for pet owners in the greater Citrus Heights area.

The Citrus Heights City Council approved a pilot phase lease agreement with FieldHaven Feline Center, allowing the low-cost, spay and neuter clinic to occupy one of the two buildings of the site of the former Citrus Heights Preschool building on Old Auburn Road.

A second building on the same property at 7569 Old Auburn Blvd. was also part of the city’s purchase and is being temporarily used by FieldHaven until the main building renovations are completed.

This same building will be utilized as a city operated Animal Control Services temporary holding facility. Animal Services is transitioning from the Citrus Heights Police Department to the city’s General Services Department.

City staff are “actively working alongside the design team to finalize architectural plans and specifications,” city officials said, adding that the project is anticipated to be advertised for construction bids in the coming months.

FieldHaven has brought in two large temporary storage containers to the Old Auburn Boulevard property and is using a secondary building for temporary office space.

During the multi-community annual “Big Day of Service” held in May, FieldHaven representatives and a host of volunteers came together to plant a memorial garden in the main yard. 

“The city has a substantial feral cat population and sees a substantial increase in population with each kitten season,” she said.

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

Gwaltney also recognized the ongoing support of community partners 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’ll also be 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.