Citrus Heights animal hospital expanding doors to adapt during pandemic

By Mike Hazlip—
The Citrus Heights Planning Commission has approved plans for the Sunrise Boulevard Animal Hospital to add more than 600 square feet to its existing building to accommodate an increase in curbside and drop-off service popularized during the pandemic.

The commission voted unanimously to approve the single-story addition for the pet hospital at 7484 Sunrise Blvd. during a Jan. 26 meeting, with commissioner Andrew Van Duker recusing himself because the hospital is a client of his employer. The animal hospital is also amending their use permit as part of the expansion.

Plans show the addition will provide room for 13 additional kennels and a small yard for exercise. The expansion is needed to keep up with changing customer procedures in the wake of COVID-19 social distancing policies, the hospital told the city.

“What started out as a way to provide safety measures and adhere to social distancing, has become a normal dynamic of veterinary visits and does not appear to be changing anytime soon,” hospital CEO Dr. Bikram Basra wrote in a letter to the commission.

Basra said the increase in drop-off service has led to a need for more daytime kennel space, and said the additional space won’t be used for overnight care.

There were no objections from the public heard during the meeting, and city staff said there were no comments submitted electronically.