By Sara Beth Williams–
FieldHaven Feline Center owner Mackenna Gwaltney says progress is moving forward on the promised low-cost spay and neuter cat clinic in Citrus Heights after some delays involving permitting and a needed HVAC system replacement.
“It’s all good; I am excited,” Gwaltney said, following a story published by The Sentinel regarding an update on the progress. At the end of August, Gwaltney said she is trying to open as soon as possible.
Gwaltney confirmed that she met with city officials on Aug. 26 to go over final remodeling plans, as there have been some necessary changes added, and she wanted to see the design plans one final time. The nonprofit owner said the bid process is at last beginning for the remodel of the future cat clinic, which will be housed in one of the buildings formerly home to Citrus Heights Preschool for five decades.
Following the approval of a pilot 18-month agreement between the city and FieldHaven, the city entered into an On-Call Architectural Engineering Services contract with RMW Architecture & Interiors, a consultant firm, to provide design services for tenant improvements that were promised in the agreement.
In a Sept. 9 Citrus Heights City Council agenda packet released on Friday, the city said an official lease with FieldHaven was signed in January 2026, at which point city staff, RMW, and FieldHaven began working together jointly to “evaluate existing conditions of the building.”
After opening bids on Aug. 12, the city is now ready to award a construction contract for the tenant improvements on the building, according to the agenda packet. City staff are requesting approval from the City Council on Sept. 9 for a construction contract with American River Construction, Inc. for $457,000 for the 7555 Old Auburn Road Tenant Improvement Project.
Planned improvements include the replacement of doors, windows, sealed
concrete floors, constructing an ADA compliant restroom, plumbing, electrical, lighting, and ceiling tile replacement.
“We are still so excited,” Gwaltney said, adding that she understands and respects that the process for remodeling is “on the city’s schedule.” Some of the delays involved obtaining all of the proper permitting and replacing the HVAC system, she says.
An additional building on the premises, also purchased by the city, is expected to become an Animal Control Services center. City officials did not provide an update on progress for the Animal Control Services building’s remodel following an initial request for comment in mid-August.
