Amsterdam invests €100,000 in steps to help trapped cats climb out of the city’s canals

Every pet parent wants to keep their children safe, and that’s no different wherever you are in the world.

Whether you’re looking for the best dog leashes or the right food for your cat, health and safety are always at the forefront of our minds.

And over in the Netherlands, the city of Amsterdam is taking measures to help cats stay safe in the water, spending up to €100,000 ($116,000) on the installation of steps along its canals.

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It’s hoped that the wooden staircases will help cats and other animals avoid drowning in places where there are high walls, after animal welfare organization Dierenambulance Amsterdam reported that 19 cats have drowned in the city’s canals in the last six months, including six right in the city center.

Judith Krom from the Party for the Animals (PvdD) suggested that the city put an unused fund of €100,000 in its biodiversity plan toward the steps. And, on July 10, the Amsterdam City Council voted in favor of the proposal.

Zita Pels, councillor for animal welfare, supported the motion already, but funding was lacking until authorities decided to put the unused €100,000 toward it.

Cat walking by Herengracht canal with typical dutch houses in background and bikes in foreground

(Image credit: Getty Images)

“A simple measure can prevent enormous animal suffering,” said Krom. “The adopted motion demonstrates that as a city, we take responsibility for protecting the lives of animals.”

The council will work with Dierenambulance to highlight areas where cats are most likely to drown, and steps will be installed at these locations later on in the year.

It’s not just Amsterdam that’s aiming to keep animals safe around canals, however. The nearby city of Amersfoot announced in June that 300 cat traps along its quays and canal are to be constructed later on in the year. Councillor Johnas van Lammeren said: “Unfortunately, animals that end up in water in areas with high quays or quay walls can’t get out and drown.

“Together with the animal ambulance, a research agency, and residents from Vathorst and other areas, we’ve mapped out where cat traps are needed. We’ll be installing hundreds of them in the coming period, preventing a great deal of animal suffering.”