Caring for feral cats at Hawthorne Racetrack outside Chicago

[Karen]

I merged these two threads, it is okay in Cat Rescue. It is hard to figure out who is more right or wrong here, if she has cats that need medication daily, why have they not been captured and rehomed somewhere that can happen? Surely this is not the only barn in the greater Chicago area ...

[Litterati]

Just signed too. Sad situation, but hopefully every signature helps.

[cassiesmom]

I merged these two threads, it is okay in Cat Rescue. It is hard to figure out who is more right or wrong here, if she has cats that need medication daily, why have they not been captured and rehomed somewhere that can happen? Surely this is not the only barn in the greater Chicago area ...

Karen, the larger and better-known one is Arlington Park, which is up in Arlington Heights. I was there once for a concert. They had a fire in 1985 and lost their entire grandstand. Since then it's been reconstructed and it looks really good. they hosted a free concert by Lee DeWise (sp?) who was a winner on American Idol from the northwest suburbs. I would say Arlington Heights is a more suburban area than where Hawthorne is, which is sort of residential to light industrial. Arlington Park also hosts the annual Christmas fair for Lambs Farm, which is a center for people with developmental disabilities. The Christmas fair got too big for Lambs Farm, so now they have it up at Arlington which is much better. Easier to park, good access for people with wheelchairs or strollers and much bigger for shoppers. In the summer they give "backstage" tours at Arlington, and you can visit the track and the horse areas. You can bet on the races, of course, but you don't have to. You can just go and watch the horses and the fans.

I wonder what the parks do where the Triple Crown races are run? Do you suppose their barns attract kitties, and do they have a way of caring for them?

[cassiesmom]

Here's an update from the Tree House Web site. It's not dated on their site.

Over the past couple of weeks, we’ve been hearing from concerned animal lovers about the situation at the Hawthorne Race Course. Generally, people are asking what they can do to help, and whether the recent changes will be effective in terms of providing the cats with the ongoing care they need. In a nutshell, here’s what's going on:

Background
There have been some disconnects between the track cats’ long-time colony caretaker and Hawthorne Race Course management over how to effectively meet the needs of all the animals in their care. The colony, which consists of an estimated 25 - 40 feral cats, has been cared for by a single caretaker for seven years with ongoing spay/neuter, admission, food, and TNR assistance provided by Tree House Humane Society, Triple R Pets, and PAWS Chicago. Recently, disagreements over aspects of colony management including the number and location of feeding stations resulted in race course management requesting that the colony caretaker step away from her role.

Action Plan

We are developing a new colony management plan to prioritize and address all issues:

- TNR any unaltered feral cats
- Rescue any friendly, socialized cats (including a cat named Cheeto, and a mom and kittens we just learned about today)
- Assess the location and number of cats in order to best situate new feeding stations and shelters
- Supply new, clean winter shelters and take responsibility for their ongoing maintenance

Oversight

- A caretaking supervisor from our coalition will be on site at least once/week to ensure that the caretaking plan and protocols are being followed by the Hawthorne staff and volunteers made up of horse owners, trainers, and caretakers

- We will schedule bi-annual clean up and treatment days to ensure the health and safety of the cats and horses, and will trap and rescue cats as needed

- We have maintained clear and open communication and cooperation with the Hawthorne Race Course management who seem to truly want to work cooperatively with us for the good of the cats and all other animals at the course

There are many media reports, blogs,and petitions about the situation. Here are just a few:

Kathy Mordini, writing for Chicago Now announced: “The feral cat community at Hawthorne Race Course is now in good hands after a week of controversy about the future of the cats at the horse track that was ignited when the track ownership and the long-time colony caretaker had a falling out. Tree House Humane Society, Triple R Pets and PAWS Chicago have joined forces with Hawthorne’s ownership to work on an action plan for the care of the cats…”

Steve Dale, writing for Chicago Now reminds readers: “Hawthorne Race Track is not 'the bad guy' here. If they really didn't want the barn cats, or to support the cats being spay/neutered, they would have done something years ago.” Hawthorne wants the cats to be cared for, but they are concerned for the horses as well.

Chicago CBS quoted a release from Hawthorne stating that the manner in which the cats are fed draws skunks, raccoons, and possums, which pose a serious risk to the well-being of the horses in their care.

We want to assure concerned parties that the coalition is dedicated to the ongoing care of these cats and will assist with TNR, placement of any friendly cats or kittens abandoned at the track, and any other issues that arise surrounding the care of the cats in a timely manner, all while safeguarding the health of the thoroughbred horses.

[phesina]

Excellent! I'm so glad that Tree House and others are stepping in to work with the Hawthorne people to see that the cats and the horses are all safe.

[cassiesmom]

Update from Tree House Animal Shelter's Web page ---

Here's What We're Doing

After just two weeks of observations, assessment, planning, and training with Race Course management and caretaking staff, the Coalition of animal welfare organizations has made significant progress.

New Shelters and Feeding Stations in Time for Winter

On Monday, November 17th, representatives from Tree House and Triple R Pets, along with Jim Miller and Tim Becker of Hawthorne Race Course, distributed 20 new insulated shelters and four feeding stations at four different locations around the backstretch of the race course. These locations were selected based on the natural shelter already provided by the site (e.g. Hawthorne staff cleaned out one trailer so we could place shelters and a feeding station inside). Other sites are located under trailers and one is between a building and a large utility box which will provide shelter from the wind and cold.

The sites are also located away from barn entrances in an effort to safeguard the cats and not attract other animals and wildlife to the barns to help ensure the safety of the horses as well.

Food and Water

The cats have access to water at all times in the barns. Additionally, the cats are fed every morning around 9:00 a.m. by track staff. Currently, we are providing enough daily dry food for 40 cats (1 cup per cat) which is the estimate of the highest probable number of cats. This is most likely well over the actual number of cats on the backstretch, however, it will ensure there is ample food while we assess the total number of cats.

In addition to the daily dry ration supplied by Hawthorne Race Course, Tree House donated a year's supply of wet food which is being stored at Hawthorne Race Course. The cats will receive a weekly meal of wet food, which will be administered by a Coalition member. This will help us account for any new cats, closely monitor all cats, and provide the cats with extra moisture and protein in their diets.

During the transition period, the cats were being fed at two different locations on the backstretch to help ensure all cats had ready access to the feeding areas. We have added two new feeding stations (for four total). This will help us better track the cats as well as improve their quality of life by creating four separate “territories” for the cats.

Trapping Rehearsal Stage

Because the cats are still adjusting to their new schedules and caretakers, we are currently in the “trapping rehearsal stage”. It is most efficient and safe for us to begin trapping once the cats are more comfortable with all the adjustments. Therefore, we have traps in place but they are not set. To help the cats become more comfortable, we are placing food in the traps. As soon as the cats are eating well and regularly in the "unset traps", the Coalition will begin safely trapping the cats.

We'll begin by focusing on the trailer feeding station where there is a mother cat and kittens. This area is also near Cheeto's reported location. It has been noted that Cheeto is a blind cat who is living at Hawthorne. The Coalition interviewed more than a dozen people at the Race Course and none have ever seen Cheeto. We will continue to be vigilant about the cat named Cheeto as well as cats who are unaltered, and sick and injured to provide them with the care they need.

Other than the guardian barn cats, we have not identified any socialized cats(or cats who are friendly to humans) on the backstretch. As we begin trapping the cats as well as spend more time getting to know the, if we do find any "friendly, socialized cats" we will immediately place them in a shelter or foster home, and make them available for adoption.

Long-term Plans - Ongoing Management

As a Coalition, we are committed to being involved with the Hawthorne Cats long-term and helping ensure they have a healthy environment and good quality of life. In addition to the day-to-day management of the cats, the Coalition will oversee bi-annual clean up and treatment days to catch any fleas or ear mites, and maintain clean and sanitary shelters for the cats. The Coalition will trap, spay/neuter, vaccinate, microchip, and treat any cats as needed.

The Coalition will also maintain clear and open communication and cooperation with the Hawthorne Race Course management and the public to focus on the goal of a healthy and safe colony for the Hawthorne Cats.

And a picture

[phesina]

This is wonderful! Thanks for the update, Elyse.

What great things can be accomplished when people dealing with different aspects of an issue communicate with each other and work together!

Here's to many years of healthy cats and healthy horses.

[cassiesmom]

Update from "Raining Cats and Dogs", a blog on Chicago Now written by a rescue advocate...

" Here’s where I stand on the situation. I’ve been a supporter of Tree House for 23 years going back to my first rescue. I’ve known Jenny and others at Tree House for years. They oversee several hundred colonies around Chicago.

Triple R Pets has worked for years in the suburbs doing the same work being done by Tree House. They are working in conjunction with PAWS Chicago – a group with vast resources. These groups know what they are doing and spend the time assessing and working in feral cat communities in and around Chicago. They’ve been working to make sure their plan does the most good once it was created.

If you’d like to help, monetary donations to support the efforts of the Hawthorne Cat Coalition, are being accepted here. Hawthorne has also established a donation center at its Guest Services Center in the grandstands. "