Police in Tacoma found and removed more than 30 cats and kittens living aboard an abandoned boat off Owen Beach on Aug. 6, 2026. Tacoma's Marine Services Unit and Animal Control obtained a search warrant and completed a coordinated extraction, taking the animals to the Tacoma-Pierce County Humane Society for care. Authorities located owner information but could not reach him; no arrests have been made and the investigation is ongoing.
Mystery 'Cat Boat': Police Rescue More Than 30 Cats From Abandoned Vessel Near Tacoma
What looked like a scene from an animated film turned into a real-life animal rescue when Tacoma police discovered more than 30 cats and kittens living aboard an abandoned boat moored near Owen Beach.
More than 30 cats and kittens were rescued from an abandoned boat off Owen Beach in Tacoma, Washington, on Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026. Facebook/@TacomaPD
Rescue Operation
Officers first responded on the morning of Aug. 6, 2026, after receiving reports about an unattended vessel. Tacoma Police Department's Marine Services Unit boarded the craft and found the animals roaming its interior. "The best way I can describe it is it looked like a Studio Ghibli movie," Tacoma Police Public Information Officer John Correa told The News Tribune. "It was their boat, and they were all out and about roaming around on it."
Officers found the frightened and malnourished animals living in unsafe conditions. Facebook/@TacomaPD
Warrant, Removal and Care
Because the boat remained privately owned, Tacoma Animal Control obtained a search warrant before a full removal could proceed. With the warrant granted, Marine Services officers returned the following morning and — working alongside Animal Control and forensic technicians — completed the extraction.
Officers with the Marine Services Unit returned Friday morning to carry out the feline extraction. Facebook/@TacomaPD
Police: "Through a tremendous team effort, every cat and kitten is being safely removed from the boat."
Rescuers described the animals as frightened and malnourished; crews exercised extra caution during removal to avoid further distress. The cats and kittens were transported to the Tacoma-Pierce County Humane Society for medical assessment, treatment and sheltering.
The rescued cats were taken to the Tacoma-Pierce County Humane Society. Facebook/@TacomaPD
Investigation
Investigators located registration information for the boat's owner but were unable to make contact. No arrests have been reported, and an investigation remains open to determine how the animals came to be living aboard the abandoned vessel and whether further action is needed.
An investigation into how the cats ended up aboard the abandoned boat remains ongoing. Facebook/@TacomaPD
Officials said they shared updates after nearby residents observed the unusual law-enforcement activity on the water. Multiagency teams worked into the next day to ensure every animal was accounted for and safely removed.
Help us improve.
