Tacoma Police Complete Six-Day Operation to Rescue 60 Cats From Abandoned Sailboat

The Tacoma Police Department completed a six-day rescue operation on an abandoned 40-foot sailboat anchored off Owen Beach, removing 60 cats and kittens from the vessel after discovering them living in unsafe and malnourished conditions. Marine Services units responded to reports of the abandoned craft on August 6, initially finding more than 30 animals aboard before the total count grew throughout the operation.

Officers coordinated with Animal Control and the department’s Forensics Unit to safely extract the frightened felines from the cramped quarters. The rescue effort expanded as authorities uncovered additional animals hidden throughout the sailboat during their systematic search, eventually tallying all 60 cats and kittens by operation’s end.

More than 40 of the rescued animals were transported to the Humane Society for Tacoma & Pierce County, while remaining cats were placed with local foster families. Police indicated they would conduct additional precautionary sweeps of the vessel under search warrant authority, acknowledging the likelihood that cats could remain concealed aboard.

An unauthorized boarding by private cat rescue operator Camille Sutherland, who captured two cats overnight and delivered them to the Humane Society, complicated the criminal investigation into the vessel’s owner. Police cautioned the public against attempting independent rescues, emphasizing the case remains under active investigation and warning against boarding the legally registered boat without ownership authorization.

No arrests or charges have been announced in connection with the abandoned sailboat and the animals discovered aboard. Authorities requested that community members report any additional cats spotted on or near the vessel to Animal Control rather than intervening directly.