Dutch city of Amersfoort installs canal steps to prevent cats from drowning

The municipality of Amersfoort has started placing cat stairs along quays and canals to save cats, hedgehogs and other animals from drowning. 

Cat stairs placed along Amersfoort canals to save animals

Around 300 sets of cat stairs will be placed on the edge of canals in Amersfoort to help animals pull themselves out of the water should they fall in. “Unfortunately, it happens that animals that end up in the water in places with a high quay or quay wall can no longer get out and drown,” said Amersfoort councillor Johnas van Lemmerman in a news release. “Together with the animal ambulance, a research agency and residents from Vathorst, among others, we have mapped out where cat stairs are needed.”

The city has been conducting research into areas where many cats and other small animals have bad luck getting out of canals. With several reports about drowning cats coming from Vathorst, the first 18 steps were installed there. Soon, more areas will get the stairs until all the canals and quays in Amersfoort are safe for animals.

Residents in Amersfoort install canal steps for drowning animals

While the municipality has kicked off the initiative as part of an animal welfare programme, and plans to install 250 to 300 cat steps every year from now on, the residents who live in the Dutch city are also giving a helping hand. They have been assisting the municipality in locating areas where the steps are needed the most.

"We are very pleased with the involvement of residents. Their involvement is also necessary for the follow-up,” said van Lemmerman. “The municipality cannot hang a ladder at all potential risk locations and drowning hotspots, because they are sometimes located on private land. We therefore hope that residents will become aware of the risks of high quay walls and help make the quays safe for animals." The city hopes that it can soon make the cat steps available to residents after the summer.