Another cat was rescued off the abandoned boat near Owen Beach in Tacoma, bringing the final count to 61 catsnow under the care of the Humane Society of Tacoma
Another cat was rescued off the abandoned boat near Owen Beach in Tacoma, bringing the final count to 61 cats now under the care of the Humane Society of Tacoma and Pierce County.
Shelbie Boyd with Tacoma Police said the 40-foot vessel had lots of nooks and crannies, which is why it took multiple rescue missions over several days.
Police and animal control believe they got all the cats, but just in case, "we're still going to go back out there we're still going to keep checking on it," Boyd said.
Around 24 felines are now in foster homes.
"The good news is that all of these cats are in relatively healthy condition, which makes it easier for our team," Madi Kaeding, with the Humane Society of Tacoma and Pierce County, said.
Boyd said the cats will be under the care of the humane society or in foster homes until the investigation finishes.
"We have about 70+ adoptable cats right now, not including the 60 that came in from this boat," Kaeding said.
The Humane Society of Tacoma and Pierce County is now dealing with a huge influx of animals. They are asking the public to foster or adopt if possible. Foster parents will get supplies and food from the shelter.
No formal charges have been filed as of Aug. 12.
"What will happen is animal control will take the totality of the circumstances here. The condition of the boat, it's summertime, the heat. Then they'll look at the vet reports when all the animals were brought to the Humane Society. They'll be able to determine the status of those cats. All of that will come together and working with the prosecutor's office they'll determine what those charges would be," Boyd said.
