Here's an update. It looks like they are trying to work something out.
Edited to add: I'm not familiar with Triple R Pets. They serve the south and southwest suburbs of Chicago. I know PAWS Chicago and Tree House will do an excellent job with any kitties they are able to rescue from the track.
Since Thursday, October 30th, Hawthorne Race Course has received several hundred emails and social media messages regarding concerns about the feral cat population around our barns and stables. While we have tried to respond to as many of these inquiries in a direct manner, in an effort to keep the public informed, we have comprised a list of the most frequently asked questions below.Additionally, we are providing a list of outside organizations that may be contacted as references to our policies and care of these animals.
Please email future questions, concerns and comments to
[email protected] and we will do our best to reply directly and update this FAQ accordingly.
Q: Why won’t Hawthorne allow Ms. Gobernatz access to feed and care for the feral cats?
A: We do allow her access. She has been allowed on-site everyday to feed and care for the cats.
Q: Has Ms. Gobernatz ever been denied access to Hawthorne’s private property?
A: No. However, on 10/29/14 Ms. Gobernatz visited Hawthorne with her young daughter to feed and care for the cats. Both women were allowed in, but were informed that Ms. Gobernatz’s daughter would not be allowed future access due to safety concerns. On 10/30/14 Ms. Gobernatz again returned to Hawthorne with her daughter. The daughter was not allowed access as had been communicated and Ms. Gobernatz decided to leave.
Q: Why is Ms. Gobernatz access to feeding areas restricted? Why did Hawthorne’s policy change?
A: After receiving complaints and concerns from horse owners and trainers that Ms. Gobernatz was over-feeding the cats and as such was attracting skunks and raccoons to the barn area, Hawthorne management met with Ms. Gobernatz on 10/23/14 to communicate these concerns. Skunks and raccoons pose serious health risks to thoroughbred horses such as viruses that are communicable between the species. Hawthorne has a legal and statutory obligation to provide a safe and secure facility for race horses. We asked that Ms. Gobernatz limit her feeding of the cats to two areas that we designated as safe. In this meeting she agreed to these conditions. We believe this to be a compromise for all parties involved that does not risk the health of any animals (cats or horses) on Hawthorne’s grounds.
Q: What about the cats that don’t come to these two designated feeding areas? Are they starving?
A: No cats at Hawthorne are starving. On Tuesday, 11/5/14, Christina Vitone from Hawthorne Race Course visited all of the original feeding areas at Hawthorne with Ms. Gobernatz. Ms. Gobernatz identified (7) different areas where she had been feeding the cats. (6) of these locations still had food when Ms. Gobernatz and Ms. Vitone visited them. Some locations were designated by Ms. Gobernatz as for single cats. Ms. Gobernatz said that other locations were for as many as 8 cats. By our estimates based on the numbers reported by Ms. Gobernatz on 11/15 and from Hawthorne facility staff, we estimate that there may be approximately (25) feral cats on the property.
Q: Are there non-feral cats at Hawthorne?
A: Yes, several horse trainers also keep barn cats on Hawthorne’s ground. These cats are required to be collared, spayed and neutered. Several of these collared cats were seen during Ms. Gobernatz’s 11/5.
Q: Will Hawthorne allow other animal care organizations access to its facility?
A: Yes. We have always provided this access. Currently we are working with PAWS Chicago, Tree House and Triple R Pets to manage the feral cat colony at Hawthorne. Individuals from these organizations are scheduled to visit Hawthorne on Thursday, 11/6/14 to develop a care plan for these animals.
Q: Will Hawthorne allow TNR (trap, neuter, release) programs at its facility?
A: Yes.
Q: Will Hawthorne allow cats to be removed from the grounds?
A: Yes. During Ms. Gobernatz’s visit on 11/5 she identified and made direct contact with a cat for which she claimed to have a rescue home. However, Ms. Gobernatz declined to take the cat with her during this visit.
Q: What about Cheto, the blind cat? Will Hawthorne let Ms. Gobernatz care for and/or remove this cat?
A: Yes. On 11/4/14 Ms. Gobernatz specifically requested access to find Cheto and provide care, which we granted. During her visit on 11/4/14 with Ms. Vitone, Ms. Gobernatz was unable to find Cheto in the feeding area in which she expected the cat to be. Ms. Gobernatz was allowed to leave a trap for Cheto, but declined to do so. She did leave additional food for the cat which she said had medicine in it.