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.