Authorities in Tacoma, Washington discovered an abandoned sailboat anchored off Owen Beach that turned out to be crewed entirely by a colony of more than 30 cats.
Tacoma Police’s Marine Services Unit responded to reports of the abandoned boat on August 6, 2026, finding dozens of cats and kittens living in unsafe conditions inside.
Rescuers use “cat math” to estimate the true number
Extracting the animals proved difficult given the boat’s tight quarters and countless hiding spots. According to The News Tribune, crews had corralled 31 cats and kittens into crates by Friday afternoon, with several more still hiding in the boat’s floorboards and inaccessible spaces.
Animal Control Officer Cheri Page explained the difficulty of counting them accurately. “We’re going by cat math,” she said. “If you see one, you times that by ten.”
Tacoma Police DepartmentTacoma Police confirmed that through a coordinated effort between the Marine Services Unit, Animal Control and its Forensics Unit, every cat and kitten was ultimately safely removed from the boat.
“We’re proud of our Marine Services officers, Animal Control officers, and Forensic Technicians for their compassion and dedication,” the department said, “not only to the people they serve, but to every member of our community who needs a helping hand.”
The rescued cats were taken to the Humane Society for Tacoma and Pierce County, where they will be cared for and eventually put up for adoption. Some were malnourished and dealing with fleas, but officials said they appeared relatively healthy given the conditions.
Tacoma Police DepartmentOfficials suspect the case is a severe example of animal hoarding that spiraled out of control, with the cats believed to have lived aboard the boat for months while someone brought them food and water.
“People start with just a few cats, and they’re not spayed or neutered,” Page said. “And unfortunately, they do what cats do and make more cats.”
Tacoma police have identified the boat’s owner through its registration and are working to make contact. Under Washington State’s animal cruelty laws, they could face fines, jail time or a lifetime ban from owning pets.
Cat-related mishaps have made headlines before. A Kansas cat was rescued by firefighters after hiding inside a reclining chair to avoid a trip to the vet.
I’m Abhishek Sharma, an author at TigerJek.com. I enjoy exploring games, testing different strategies, and turning what I learn into clear, useful guides. My goal is to help players understand the game better and improve without the usual confusion.
