An abandoned sailboat drifting off a Washington beach turned out to be carrying a surprising and vulnerable group of passengers: 60 cats and kittens, many of them scared, underfed and living in troubling conditions.
The Tacoma Police Department said the unusual animal rescue started on Aug. 6, after its Marine Services Unit was called to investigate reports of a 40-foot sailboat left unattended in the water near Owen Beach.
When officers boarded the vessel, they first found more than 30 cats and kittens inside, many appearing frightened and malnourished. Because of the unsafe environment on board, Marine Services worked with Animal Control and the department’s Forensics Unit to carefully bring the animals to safety.
But what began as a rescue involving just over 30 animals quickly expanded. Over the course of six days, the number of cats recovered from the boat climbed to 60.
Tacoma police rescued 60 cats and kittens from a 40-foot sailboat off Owen Beach following a six-day operation. (Tacoma Police Department)
“That’s a wrap! The final cat is off the boat. Fur real this time!” police wrote in an update. “Final cat count: 60!”
Authorities said Animal Control officials were “as certain as they can be that all cats have officially disembarked.”
“That’s all for meow!” the department quipped online.
Despite believing all 60 cats had been rescued, police said they would continue making trips to the boat this week as a precaution.
Tacoma Animal Control and Marine Services worked to safely remove 60 cats and kittens from a sailboat anchored off Owen Beach. (Tacoma Police Department)
“While we believe we have safely removed all of the cats from the boat, as any cat owner knows, cats are exceptionally good at hiding,” police said. “Because there is always a possibility that a cat may remain onboard, our work isn’t quite finished.”
The department said the additional searches would be conducted under the authority of a search warrant.
Police said Marine Services has also begun the process of having the legally registered vessel moved.
Authorities asked people visiting Owen Beach or boating nearby to notify Animal Control if they spot another cat aboard the vessel, while warning members of the public not to attempt their own rescues.
Tacoma police rescued 60 cats and kittens from a 40-foot sailboat anchored off Owen Beach in Washington after a six-day operation. (Tacoma Police Department)
“We know many animal lovers in our community want to help, and we appreciate the concern for these cats,” police said. “However, this remains an active criminal case. Our teams are working hard to protect the animals while also protecting the integrity of the investigation.”
“PLEASE DO NOT BOARD THE VESSEL unless you are the legal owner,” police added.
The warning followed an incident in which private cat rescue trapper Camille Sutherland told KING 5 she boarded the vessel overnight and captured two cats, which she took to the Humane Society.
Some of the cats and kittens discovered aboard the sailboat were frightened and malnourished, Tacoma police said. (Tacoma Police Department)
Sutherland told the outlet she was trying to help and believed authorities were taking too long to rescue the animals.
Police told KING 5 that the unauthorized boarding complicated their investigation into the vessel’s owner.
Police have not announced any arrests or charges in connection with the case.
Tacoma Police Marine Services responded to reports of an abandoned sailboat off Owen Beach before discovering dozens of cats and kittens aboard. (Tacoma Police Department)
More than 40 of the 60 rescued cats were taken to the Humane Society for Tacoma & Pierce County, while the remaining animals were placed in foster homes in the area, according to KING 5.
