Tiny Staircases Along Dutch Canals Save Cats from Drowning
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📰 The quick summary: Dutch cities Amsterdam and Amersfoort are installing hundreds of tiny staircases along canal walls to help cats escape if they fall into the water, enhancing pet safety across their iconic waterway networks.
📈 One key stat: Between Amsterdam and Amersfoort, there could be over 500 tiny cat staircases installed along canals by the end of the year, significantly reducing the number of feline drownings.
💬 One key quote: “A simple measure can prevent enormous animal suffering,” Judith Krom said at the time according to the Independent.
1️⃣ The big picture: Two Dutch cities have begun mounting miniature staircases along their iconic canal networks to save cats that fall into the water. The initiative started after animal welfare group Party for the Animals noted high numbers of drowned cats in Amsterdam’s canals. After identifying an unused €100,000 in the city’s environment budget, the money was allocated to building these life-saving exits. Both Amsterdam and the smaller city of Amersfoort are implementing hundreds of these specialized cat escape routes in strategic locations where cats frequently fall into water.
2️⃣ Why is this good news: This simple solution directly addresses a specific animal welfare concern that had been overlooked in urban planning. The staircases offer cats a practical escape route from canals, preventing unnecessary drownings and reducing animal suffering. The initiative demonstrates how city governments can implement cost-effective measures that have significant positive impacts on urban wildlife. By redirecting existing but unused environmental funds, the project shows how budgets can be optimized to serve both human and animal residents. The collaboration between animal welfare organizations and city officials highlights how advocacy can lead to tangible improvements in urban safety for pets.
3️⃣ What’s next: Amsterdam officials will work with Dierenambulance Amsterdam to identify high-risk areas where cats most frequently fall into canals. Amersfoort plans to build “hundreds” of these life-saving staircases every year, expanding the network of safety features. As the project progresses, other canal-filled cities in the Netherlands and beyond may adopt similar animal safety measures.
Read the full story here: Good News Network – Dutch Cities Are Building These Tiny Staircases to Help Cats Exit Their Canals
