It sounds like a scene from an animated movie — but this bizarre “cat boat” was very real.
More than 30 cats and kittens were rescued from an abandoned vessel off Tacoma’s Owen Beach after cops discovered the furry crew roaming around inside.
“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.”
Tacoma police were alerted to the abandoned boat Thursday morning and responded with the department’s Marine Services Unit.
Inside, officers found “more than 30 cats and kittens living in unsafe conditions,” police said.
The animals were reportedly frightened and malnourished, requiring officers to take extra care while removing them from the vessel.
Since the boat was still privately owned, Tacoma Animal Control had to obtain a search warrant before officers could board and rescue the cats.
The warrant was granted, and officers with the Marine Services Unit returned Friday morning to carry out the feline extraction.
“Through a tremendous team effort, every cat and kitten is being safely removed from the boat,” Tacoma police said.
The rescued cats were taken to the Tacoma-Pierce County Humane Society.
The Marine Services Unit was able to track down information about the boat’s owner but was unable to reach him, Correa said.
No arrests have been made.
For now, authorities say their priority is getting every last cat safely off the bizarre floating feline refuge.
The rescue operation involved Marine Services officers, Animal Control workers and forensic technicians, with crews working into the following day.
Police said they gave the public an update because residents had spotted the unusual law-enforcement operation unfolding on the water.
An investigation into how the cats ended up aboard the abandoned boat remains ongoing.
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