Cat rescue stairs to be constructed in Amsterdam - Plans to construct railway systems for cats in Amsterdam unveiled
In a bid to address the concerning number of cat drownings, the city of Amsterdam is set to construct special ladders, colloquially known as "kattentrapjes," on its canal quays [2][3]. These cat ladders, designed to help felines escape from the high and slippery canal walls, are an initiative to ensure the safety of animals in the city.
In the past six months alone, 19 cats have tragically drowned in Amsterdam's canals [2]. This high number of incidents has prompted the city councilor Judith Krom of the Party for the Animals to propose the construction of these cat ladders [6]. The proposal has since been approved by the city council [7].
The Amsterdam Animal Rescue Ambulance is collaborating closely with the city in the planning and placement of these cat ladders. The ladders will be strategically positioned in high-risk areas, based on the data provided by the ambulance [8][9].
The design and construction details of the cat ladders have yet to be disclosed [10]. However, it is known that they are being crafted to cater specifically to the needs of cats in these high-risk areas [4][7].
This initiative follows a similar project in Amersfoort, another Dutch city, where around 300 small ladders were installed along canal edges to save cats, hedgehogs, and other animals from drowning [1].
The news of the cat ladder installation in Amsterdam was reported by the Dutch newspaper "Het Parool" [11]. This move is expected to significantly improve the safety of cats and other small animals in the city's canals.
The city councilor Judith Krom, from the Party for the Animals, has proposed a community policy to construct cat ladders, called "kattentrapjes," as a response to the high number of cats drowning in Amsterdam's canals, aiming to enhance the lifestyle and safety of pets in the home-and-garden environment of Amsterdam residents. This policy follows a similar initiative taken in Amersfoort, where small ladders were installed to save pets like cats and hedgehogs from drowning in canal waters.
