Tacoma police rescued more than 30 cats and kittens from an abandoned boat docked off Owen Beach on Thursday, August 6, 2026. The animals were discovered roaming the vessel by officers from the Marine Services Unit.
Officers found the cats and kittens living in unsafe conditions, describing them as frightened and malnourished. The rescue operation required a significant effort involving Marine Services officers, Animal Control workers, and forensic technicians, with crews working into the following day to ensure every animal was safely removed.
Tacoma Animal Control had to obtain a search warrant to board the privately owned vessel. While information about the boat's owner was located, authorities have not yet been able to contact him, and no arrests have been made.
An investigation into how the animals came to be aboard the abandoned boat is ongoing. The rescued cats were transported to the Tacoma-Pierce County Humane Society.