By Sara Beth Williams–
After over a year of anticipation and excitement, FieldHaven Feline Center’s low cost spay and neuter clinic has officially opened for spay and neutering of felines in Citrus Heights, the nonprofit announced last week.
In a social media announcement, the group said they officially opened on Sept. 22 and were able to spay and neuter 25 felines during their first day of operation. FeildHaven called their first full day “perfect, wonderful, splendid.”
“Our team handled everything the day threw our way, the cats did great, and we are officially up and running! This moment has been a long time coming,” FeildHaven representatives said.
Within one week, rescuers who help volunteer with FieldHaven reported on social media that 100 cats have already been spay and neutered.
Currently, FieldHaven has temporarily moved into a second building on the property, at 7569 Old Auburn Rd., Executive Director Mackenna Gwaltney confirmed, while they await tenant improvements, which have begun on the 7555 Old Auburn Rd. building on the same property.
The low-cost clinic is focusing its efforts on helping the feral cat community and those who trap, neuter and release felines to help control the kitten population. Services offered by FieldHaven will only be spay and neutering for felines, and will not include well checkups or other major surgeries. Spay and neutering requests must be done through appointments which can be booked on the nonprofit’s website.
A construction contract was recently approved by the Citrus Heights City Council, allowing the city to begin tenant improvements on the other building, which FieldHaven will eventually occupy. Gwaltney anticipates remodeling to be done by the end of the year.
“We are so incredibly proud of this team and so grateful to everyone who helped make this happen—from our community partners and supporters to the people who rolled up their sleeves and got this clinic ready to open its doors,” FieldHaven said.
Once interior construction is complete on the 7555 Old Auburn Rd. building, FieldHaven is expected to move out of 7569 Old Auburn Rd. City staff said the second building will be utilized as an Animal Control Services center and also needs interior remodel, which will occur at a later date.
