The final cat has been rescued from an abandoned boat near Tacoma's Owen Beach, bringing the total number of cats removed from the vessel to 60.
The final cat has been rescued from an abandoned boat near Tacoma's Owen Beach, bringing the total number of cats removed from the vessel to 60, according to Tacoma police.
"That's a wrap! The final cat is off the boat. Fur real this time!" the Tacoma Police Department wrote in a social media post Tuesday.
Animal Control officials said they are as certain as they can be that all of the cats have now been removed from the boat.
The rescue operation began after authorities discovered dozens of cats living aboard the abandoned vessel near Owen Beach.
Police rescued at least 30 cats during an initial search of the boat on Aug. 7. Investigators later obtained an amended search warrant, allowing them to conduct a more extensive search of the vessel.
The Tacoma Police Department said officers, the Marine Services Unit and Animal Control rescued 21 additional cats on Monday, bringing the total at that point to 51.
"The conditions of the boat were disgusting," Tacoma Police spokesperson Shelbie Boyd said.
Police said some of the cats had become stressed and were hiding deep inside the vessel, making it difficult for crews to locate and safely remove them.
At the time of Monday's rescue, investigators believed three or four more cats might still be aboard. Crews continued searching the vessel before announcing Tuesday that the final cat had been removed and updating the total number rescued to 60.
All of the rescued cats have been taken to the Humane Society of Tacoma & Pierce County, where they will be examined by a veterinarian. Investigators said those evaluations will help determine the animals' condition as Animal Control works with the prosecutor's office to decide whether criminal charges are warranted.
Police have not identified the owner of the boat but said it is legally registered. A paddleboarder who recently passed the vessel said its registration tabs appeared to be current.
The Tacoma Police Department has said the case remains an active criminal investigation. The Marine Services Unit is also determining what will happen to the abandoned boat.
