A sailboat abandoned off a beach in Washington was found housing an unexpected group: 60 cats and kittens, many of them frightened and malnourished. The Tacoma Police Department’s Marine Services Unit initiated a rescue on August 6, responding to reports of a stranded 40-foot sailboat near Owen Beach.
Initially, officers found over 30 cats and kittens living in unsafe conditions on the vessel. Many of the animals appeared scared and underfed. The Marine Services coordinated with Animal Control and the department’s Forensics Unit to safely remove the animals. During a rescue effort spanning six days, the total number of cats rose to 60.
Tacoma police successfully rescued 60 cats and kittens from the 40-foot sailboat located off Owen Beach.(Tacoma Police Department)
“That’s a wrap! The final cat is off the boat. Fur real this time!” police conveyed online. “Final cat count: 60!” They added that Animal Control was certain all cats had been safely evacuated. “That’s all for meow!” the department joked.
Although the police were confident they rescued all the cats, they planned to continue monitoring the situation as cats are adept at concealing themselves. Additional searches under a search warrant were scheduled. While Marine Services initiated the process to move the legally registered boat, authorities urged beach visitors or nearby boaters to alert Animal Control of any remaining cats on the sailboat. They warned the public against attempting personal rescues.
The Tacoma police advised against boarding the vessel without authorization.
An unauthorized rescue incident occurred when private trapper Camille Sutherland boarded the vessel overnight and retrieved two cats, taking them to the Humane Society. This act complicated the ongoing investigation.
Over 40 of the rescued cats found shelter at the Humane Society for Tacoma & Pierce County. The remainder went to foster homes in the vicinity. No arrests or legal charges have been filed at this point.
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