Authorities have a blunt message for anyone tempted to play hero over the bizarre Tacoma cat rescue that has already led to the recovery of 60 felines — stay off the boat!
Police in the Washington city said the 40-foot sailboat anchored off Owens Beach and where a caboodle of kitties was recovered remains an active crime scene, even after dozens of cats have been pulled from its cramped confines.
The department said Wednesday that Marine Services and Animal Control crews have spent six days removing the animals — using power tools at one point to tear into portions of the vessel — and believe they have now gotten every cat out.
But they’re not declaring victory just yet — given that cats are exceptionally good at hiding.
So authorities said officers will make additional trips to the boat this week to ensure no feline stragglers remain aboard — and they don’t need any interference from the cat-loving public.
“We know many animal lovers in our community want to help, and we appreciate the concern for these cats,” the department said in a statement, while emphasizing that the case remains an active criminal investigation.
“PLEASE DO NOT BOARD THE VESSEL unless you are the legal owner.”
The warning comes after Camille Sutherland, a private cat rescue trapper, boarded the vessel overnight, caught two kitties and brought them to the Tacoma Humane Society.
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Police said her intervention complicated their investigation into the boat’s owner and that she could be cited for tampering with evidence.
Sutherland isn’t exactly remorseful.
“They should be spending their time rescuing cats rather than giving me a citation,” Sutherland told KING 5.
More than 40 of the rescued five dozen cats were taken to the Tacoma Humane Society, while the remainder went to foster homes around the area.
Veterinarians said most of the cats are doing surprisingly well and generally in good condition, although thin and understandably shy.
The sudden influx has meanwhile turned the Humane Society into a temporary cat metropolis.
“Any large case like this, it takes a lot of teamwork,” rep Stefanie Cornell told KING 5.
“We are grateful to be able to be a happy, kind face that they see when they’re coming in, regardless of what happened. We’re here,” Cornell said.
The Humane Society is asking for donations and volunteers to help with providing feline food and care.
