‘It took my entire team out of commission’: Tacoma animal control officer describes rescuing 61 cats from sailboat

Rescuing 61 cats from a sailboat anchored off Tacoma’s Owen Beach didn’t just make national headlines. It shut down the city’s entire animal control operation for days.

“It took my entire team out of commission for all of Friday, all of Monday, and Tuesday as well,” Tacoma Animal Control Officer Brittany Kirsch told “The Jake and Spike Show” on KIRO Newsradio. “And even yesterday, we went out. We’re actually up to 61 now.”

Kirsch said the discovery began when the Tacoma Police Department’s Marine Services Unit was out on routine patrol and noticed a change in the vessel’s status. The sail had been taken down, and as officers floated closer to check on it, they saw a swarm of flies inside the windows.

“That caused them to be a little concerned,” Kirsch said. “So they conducted a welfare check. They boarded the vessel to verify and make sure if anyone needed help or assistance. And that’s when they opened the cabin, and the famous picture of all of the cats staring back at the officer was taken that day.”

KIRO host Jake Skorheim described the photo as showing every square inch of the cabin covered in grime and feces. KIRO host Spike O’Neill noted two inches of cat feces on the floor.

Hazmat suits, forensics, and a plan

Kirsch said the marine unit officers were “very unprepared” for what they found because they aren’t animal control officers. They called for help over the radio through South Sound 911.

“When they described it, I was kind of in disbelief at first, as most people kind of would be,” she said. “Then once I saw the photo, we started planning.”

That afternoon, the marine unit brought one of Kirsch’s partners out to the boat to provide food and water while the team coordinated with the Humane Society for Tacoma and Pierce County.

“With that many cats, that’s not something you can just willy-nilly go and start picking up cats,” Kirsch said. “You have to plan, have to coordinate with the Humane Society on where they’re going to go.”

By Friday morning, the team was executing a warrant. Kirsch said crews wore Tyvek suits, respirators, goggles, and boot protectors. The department’s forensics team also went out to photograph the scene and each animal as it was removed.

“Forensics has a huge job and a huge hand in this,” she said. “They’re doing all of their stuff all decked out, everyone sweating, and having a good old time.”

‘You’re never going to be 100% sure you’re done’

Kirsch said the warrant is still active and the team continues to check the boat daily. The Marine Services Unit was on the water during the interview, keeping watch.

“When it comes to anyone who works in animal welfare and knows cat colonies, they could fit into every crevice,” she said. “You’re never going to be 100% sure that you’re done with the cats until they stop showing up. So we are still actively providing food and water to ensure their care and checking daily.”

How one cat became 61

Jake noted that according to The Seattle Times, the boat’s owner said he got a cat a few years ago that had a litter of kittens. He couldn’t afford to have them all spayed and neutered, held on to more than he should have, and within a couple of years was overwhelmed on a tiny enclosed vessel.

Spike noted the man worked sporadically and spent what little money he had on two things: boat insurance and cat food.

“He wanted to keep himself and the cats safe,” Spike said.

Kirsch said animal control has not been able to reach the owner.

“We have not actually been successful with getting in contact with the owner because we would love to get his side of things as well,” she said.

How to help

All of the cats are under a cruelty hold with the Tacoma Humane Society, meaning none are available for adoption until two weeks from the date each cat was seized, giving the owner a chance to come forward.

The Humane Society is looking for volunteers, fosters, cat food donations, and litter donations.

Watch the full discussion in the video above.

Listen to “The Jake and Spike Show” weekdays from noon to 3 p.m. on KIRO Newsradio 97.3