An unexpected discovery occurred off a Washington beach when authorities found 60 cats and kittens living on an abandoned sailboat. Many of these animals were frightened and malnourished. The Tacoma Police Department reported that the rescue operation began on August 6. Its Marine Services Unit responded to reports of a deserted 40-foot sailboat near Owen Beach.

Initially, officers found over 30 cats and kittens living in unsafe conditions aboard the vessel. As the rescue operation continued, the number of cats increased to 60 over six days. The Marine Services Unit coordinated efforts with Animal Control and the police department’s Forensics Unit to safely remove the animals.

That’s a wrap! The final cat is off the boat. Fur real this time!

The final count reached 60, as updates from the police department indicated. They shared that Animal Control was confident all cats had been disembarked. The department humorously added, “That’s all for meow!” online. However, they planned to continue visiting the boat to ensure no cats were left behind.

The rescue effort highlighted the difficulty in cat rescues, as officers mentioned how adept cats are at hiding. Additional searches were to be conducted with a search warrant. Marine Services also began procedures to relocate the legally registered vessel.

Authorities encouraged visitors to Owen Beach to notify Animal Control if they noticed any remaining cats on board. They warned against DIY rescues due to the active status of the criminal investigation concerning the boat’s owner. This advisory followed an incident where a private trapper, Camille Sutherland, boarded the vessel without authorization and captured two cats, taking them to the Humane Society. This action complicated the ongoing investigation.

No arrests or charges have been declared regarding the case. More than 40 of the rescued cats were taken to the Humane Society for Tacoma & Pierce County. The remainder went to foster homes within the area.