After Three Massive Rescues, Tacoma Humane Needs Help

The Humane Society for Tacoma & Pierce County is asking the community for help after 101 cats and kittens were seized from a Northeast Tacoma home—the third exceptionally large feline rescue the organization has absorbed in a matter of weeks.

Tacoma police were conducting a welfare check Tuesday afternoon in the 6100 block of 29th Street Northeast when officers noticed dozens of cats packed inside the residence. According to police, the owner initially surrendered 16 cats and said there were no others in the home.

Animal control officers returned with a warrant Wednesday and removed 85 more. One cat was found dead, while the surviving animals were described as being in rough condition. Many are now receiving treatment for fleas, upper-respiratory infections and other health problems at the Humane Society or in foster homes.

At least one of the rescued cats has since given birth to additional kittens.

Animal control is preparing a case for the prosecutor’s office, but no one had been arrested as of Thursday evening. Tacoma households are generally limited to six cats under city law.

The seizure would be a major undertaking for the shelter under any circumstances. Unfortunately, it follows two other extraordinary Tacoma rescues.

In August, 61 cats were recovered from an abandoned boat near Owen Beach. Another 20 were subsequently found inside a vehicle. Combined with animals already awaiting homes, the successive cases have pushed the number of cats and kittens in Tacoma Humane’s care above 500.

That means more animals requiring examinations, vaccinations, medication, food, clean bedding and space inside a shelter with finite resources.

The Humane Society is requesting donations of bath towels, hand towels, fleece blankets, paper towels and newspapers. Supplies can be dropped off at 2608 Center Street from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily.

Financial contributions can also help cover veterinary treatment and the ongoing cost of caring for such a large population. Readers can find the shelter’s current requests and donation information on its official website.

Some of the first 16 cats voluntarily surrendered from the Northeast Tacoma home have already been made available for adoption holds. Others will need additional treatment before they are ready for new homes.

The shelter’s immediate challenge is caring for the animals already in front of it. The larger concern is why Tacoma has experienced three enormous cat rescues in such a short time.

Tacoma Police Officer Shelbie Boyd pointed to animal overpopulation and encouraged residents to support accessible spay-and-neuter services. Rising veterinary costs, limited access to care and a lack of education can allow a manageable number of animals to grow rapidly into a situation one household cannot safely handle.

For Tacoma Humane, however, the current need is simple: hundreds of cats require care, and the organization is counting on the community to help provide it.