Officials in Tacoma, Washington, have been left with more questions than answers after discovering a boat full of cats floating in Commencement Bay on Friday, August 7.

Although no humans were on board, dozens of abandoned cats were living in horrid conditions on and inside the vessel. Over 50 cats have been rescued from the boat in the days following its discovery, but Tacoma PD still has a long way to go before they get to the bottom of this feline-filled mystery.

As shocking and random as this scene may be, it's a massive relief that officials found this boat when they did. As KING5 Seattle news anchor @farahjadran reported, many of the cats were scared, sick, and malnourished, though they're now being treated and cared for at Humane Society of Tacoma & Pierce County.

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Although officials rescued about 30 cats when they first searched the boat on Friday, reports of cats on board continued to come in over the weekend. KING5 reporters decided to check out the scene for themeselves, and sure enough, more rescue cats were still waiting (and hiding) throughout the boat.

Rescuers found 20 more cats when the weekend was over, bringing the total rescued to 51. As of Monday evening, 2 cats were still confirmed to be on board. Officials left food and water on the boat and planned to return on Tuesday morning.

50 Cats Rescued: What Now?

@Chapmans10 asked what was on everyone's mind when they commented, "Why are they just leaving the abandoned boat out there? Why in the world wouldn't it be towed into shore already? Wouldn't it be unsafe just to leave the boat out there?"

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There is no plan for the abandoned boat yet, as police are still searching for its owner. As for the cats, they're finally receiving the tender loving care they've deserved all along, and they will likely be up for adoption through the Humane Society when they're feeling better. We may not know what exactly happened to them, but we know without a doubt they're safe now!