Tacoma police rescued 60 cats and kittens from a 40-foot sailboat found abandoned off Owen Beach. The operation, which spanned six days, began on August 6 when the department's Marine Services Unit responded to reports of the vessel.
Officers initially discovered more than 30 cats and kittens aboard the boat, many of them appearing frightened and malnourished. The Marine Services Unit coordinated with Animal Control and the department's Forensics Unit to ensure the safe removal of the animals.
Over the course of the six-day operation, the number of animals rescued grew to 60. "That's a wrap! The final cat is off the boat. Fur real this time!" police announced online, confirming the final count. Animal Control expressed high confidence that all cats had been removed from the vessel.
Despite the successful removal, police stated they would continue to make trips to the boat throughout the week as a precautionary measure, citing cats' ability to hide effectively. These additional searches would be conducted under the authority of a search warrant.
The Marine Services Unit has also initiated the process to have the legally registered vessel moved. Authorities have asked the public to report any sightings of additional cats on the vessel to Animal Control and have warned against any unauthorized attempts at rescue.
"We know many animal lovers in our community want to help, and we appreciate the concern for these cats," police stated. "However, this remains an active criminal case. Our teams are working hard to protect the animals while also protecting the integrity of the investigation."
These warnings followed an incident where a private cat rescue trapper reportedly boarded the vessel overnight and captured two cats. Police noted that such unauthorized boardings complicate their investigation into the vessel's owner. No arrests or charges have been announced in connection with the case.
More than 40 of the rescued cats were taken to the Humane Society for Tacoma & Pierce County, while the remaining animals were placed in local foster homes.
