Amsterdam’s New Tiny Staircases: A Lifeline for Stray Cats in Iconic Canals!

Amsterdam, famous for its picturesque canals recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, also has a lesser-known love affair with cats. The city is now taking steps to ensure the safety of these beloved felines.

Amsterdam is allocating €100,000 to construct small wooden steps along its canal edges, launching a cat safety campaign. This decision came after the distressing news that 19 cats had drowned in the city’s extensive canal system over the last six months, prompting officials to take action to prevent further tragedies.

The initiative was introduced by Judith Krom from the Party for the Animals. Unlike other political groups that focus primarily on human-centric issues, this party champions the rights and welfare of animals, including the country’s substantial stray cat population.

Amsterdam Introduces Miniature Staircases to Aid Canal-Bound Cats

The funding for these cat staircases, humorously dubbed “cat traps,” originates from an overlooked biodiversity budget. These structures are intended to offer cats, and potentially other small animals, a safe escape route from the canals, which pose a severe risk due to the cats’ lack of natural swimming abilities.

Dierenambulance Amsterdam, an animal welfare organization, is working alongside city officials to pinpoint the canal areas where cats most frequently fall into the water. They plan to install these steps at those critical locations later in the year.

Meanwhile, the city of Amersfoort is not being left behind. It has already begun installing about 300 cat stairs as a part of its 2024 animal welfare agenda, even collaborating with local residents to identify problematic areas.

Krom described this measure as “simple” yet highly effective in “preventing enormous animal suffering.” In a world that often seems indifferent, it’s uplifting to see such acts of kindness and consideration.

The only minor quibble I have is with the term “Cat Traps” used to describe these installations. With a decent grasp of English prevalent in the Netherlands, one might think they would opt for a more charming and apt description like “catwalks.”

It was a missed opportunity indeed.