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Authorities in the Tacoma area retrieved more than 50 felines from a sailboat adrift in Puget Sound in northwest Washington following the discovery of dozens of animals aboard the vessel. Police launched the rescue operation during a welfare check on Thursday, initially removing approximately 30 cats from the deck and cabin areas.
Officers detected additional animals moving behind secured panels and furniture that could not be quickly accessed during the initial sweep. Animal control returned Monday morning to conduct a more thorough search below deck, locating 21 additional cats by midday. The extended operation underscored the unusual nature of the incident, with one officer noting that discovering 30 to 40 cats on a single boat was extraordinarily rare.
The rescue effort received unexpected assistance Sunday morning when two joggers spotted a struggling cat in the water. Ashton Efforts and Jesse McConaugher immediately intervened, with Efforts entering the cold water to retrieve the animal despite sustaining scratches during the effort. The cat was transported to an animal hospital after being brought to shore.
Authorities have identified the sailboat’s owner and plan to launch a criminal investigation once the rescue concludes. A local humane society will determine the timeline and eligibility for adoption of the recovered animals.
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