How 30+ cats survived on an abandoned Tacoma boat
Aug 8, 2026, 11:05 AM
The tiny eyes of about 20 cats are focused on a Tacoma police officer as he snaps a shot of them on this abandoned sailboat. (Photo: Tacoma Police Dept.)
(Photo: Tacoma Police Dept.)
Tacoma police say it was quite a sight on the city’s waterfront Thursday.
An abandoned sailboat, but not totally abandoned.
It had been taken over by a crew of more than two dozen cats and kittens.
Neighbors called in the report, some watching the apparently abandoned boat with binoculars, to watch the assortment of cats on board.
Officers say they responded after receiving reports from people who spotted a lot of cats on a sailboat anchored just off Owen Beach, on the northern tip of Point Defiance Park.
One of more than 30 cats rescued from a vessel near Point Defiance Park in Tacoma Thursday. (Photo: Tacoma Police Dept.)
The police department’s Marine Services Unit assisted agents with Pierce County Animal Control, approached the vessel, and found more than 30 cats on board.
Officials say the animals were living in what they considered unsafe conditions.
Many of the kitties left on board were afraid and looked like they hadn’t eaten in a while.
“There was a couple who would come up to you, but most of them were pretty fearful,” Sherry Paige of Pierce County Animal Control told KIRO7 News.
A Marine Services Unit boat ties up next to the apparently abandoned sailboat. (Photo: Tacoma Police Dept.)
With help from the Humane Society for Tacoma and Pierce County, they got the cats off the boat and into individual portable cat kennels.
And since it was a sailboat, those kitties found lots of places to hide on board.
“There’s the challenge of the boat itself. It’s pretty close quarters and, because it is a sailboat, there’s lots of nooks and crannies that cats can hide into,” Paige told KIRO7 News.
Police and Animal Control officers used a series of portable pet kennels to remove the cats from the boat. (Photo: Tacoma Police Dept.)
In fact, the cats were so elusive and shy that searchers had to come back Friday for a second day to remove cats from the vessel.
Police say they used the boat’s registration numbers to determine who the owner is.
Officers worked to move the endangered animals to safety. (Photo: Tacoma Police Dept.)
And now they’re working to get in touch with them.
Police believe someone had been bringing the cats food and water.
Animal control officers say having too many cats is a common problem for people who start with just a few, if they’re not spayed or neutered.
“And unfortunately they do what cats do, and make more cats,” Paige said.
A statement posted on the Tacoma Police Department’s Facebook page reads:
Many of the cats were frightened and malnourished, requiring patience, care, and a tremendous amount of teamwork from our members…”“…We’re proud of our Marine Services officers, Animal Control officers, and Forensic Technicians for their compassion and dedication—not only to the people they serve, but to every member of our community who needs a helping hand.”
It’s legal to own up to six dogs and/or cats in Tacoma, but you can face fines for having more than that.
