Six dozen cats rescued from abandoned sailboat near Tacoma's Owen Beach

A 40-foot sailboat found moored near Owen Beach in Tacoma was discovered to contain a large number of cats and kittens living in hazardous conditions. Responding to the initial tip on August 6, the Tacoma Police Department and Tacoma Animal Control worked for nearly a week to locate and safely remove each animal, ultimately rescuing a total of 60 felines. Officials noted that cats are adept at hiding, so the search may continue for any that remain on board.

The boat is now the focus of an ongoing criminal investigation, potentially classified as an animal-hoarding case under Washington's cruelty statutes. Authorities have asked beachgoers to photograph any cats they see on the vessel and report the details to animal control, while cautioning against boarding the boat themselves. The city of Tacoma limits pet ownership to six dogs or cats per household, a regulation relevant to the case.