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Dutch Cities Are Building Tiny Staircases To Save Cats From Drowning

August 6, 2025

Two cities in the Netherlands are making waves — in the best way — with creative efforts to protect cats and other small animals from drowning in urban canals.

Photo: Simon Lamme / Partij voor de Dieren Amersfoort

In Amsterdam, the city has approved up to €100,000 to install tiny wooden staircases along the canal walls, giving cats a way out if they accidentally fall in. The decision comes after 19 cats were reported drowned in the city’s canals in just six months, with six of those incidents occurring in the city center alone.

"A simple measure can prevent enormous animal suffering,” said Judith Krom, a member of the Party for the Animals, who proposed the idea. Her motion to use unallocated funds from the city's biodiversity budget was passed by the Amsterdam City Council on July 10.

The city will now work with the local animal welfare group, Dierenambulance Amsterdam, to identify the most dangerous areas for animals before installing the escape routes later this year. Councillor Zita Pels, who oversees animal welfare, expressed early support for the plan but noted that budget limitations had delayed action until now.

Just a short drive away in Amersfoort, a similar initiative is already in motion.

The municipality has begun installing around 300 "cat traps" — small staircases designed to help animals like cats and hedgehogs safely exit the water from high quays and canal walls. The first 18 steps were recently installed in Vathorst, a neighborhood where several drownings had been reported.

“It unfortunately happens that animals that end up in the water in areas with a high quay or quay wall can't get out and drown,” said Alderman Johnas van Lammeren. "This will prevent a lot of animal suffering."

The Amersfoort project was launched with input from the animal ambulance, local researchers, and concerned residents. Mapping out drowning hotspots started in the city center, and the city has since expanded the program to other neighborhoods like Schothorst, with plans to eventually cover the entire municipality.

Residents have played a key role, and city officials hope this collaboration continues — especially in areas where canal access points are located on private property. A plan is already in development to provide cat stairs directly to residents who want to make their quays safer for neighborhood animals.