Amsterdam is famous for its postcard-perfect canals, historic bridges, and lively waterfronts—but beneath this charm lies a silent danger for animals. Every year, pets and wildlife accidentally slip into the waterways, often unable to climb out because of steep canal walls. In 2025 alone, 19 cats drowned in these waters, sparking heartbreak among pet owners and outrage from animal lovers. Now, the city has taken a bold step: investing 100,000 Euros to install hundreds of tiny wooden staircases that serve as escape routes for cats, ducks, hedgehogs, and other small creatures as reported by Euronews. Inspired by a similar project in Amersfoort, these miniature life-saving ladders promise to make Amsterdam’s canals safer for both animals and humans while setting an example for cities worldwide.
Amsterdam’s beautiful canals can be dangerous for animals like cats; here’s why
Amsterdam’s canals are undeniably beautiful, attracting millions of tourists each year. But for animals, these picturesque waterways can turn deadly. Cats, naturally curious and agile, often wander along the narrow canal edges or chase birds, only to lose their footing. While most cats can swim, their water-soaked fur weighs them down quickly, causing exhaustion and hypothermia within minutes.It’s not just cats; ducks, hedgehogs, and even urban foxes often end up trapped, unable to scale the smooth, vertical stone walls. For a small animal, these canals can feel like a moat with no escape. The result? Heartbreaking statistics and frantic rescue calls every year. By adding these staircases, Amsterdam is essentially building a bridge between urban living and animal safety, acknowledging that even in a busy modern city, every life matters.
How Amersfoort’s easy solution sparked change in Amsterdam
Amsterdam didn’t come up with this idea out of thin air—it’s inspired by Amersfoort, a smaller Dutch city, which in June 2025 installed 300 wildlife exit ladders along its waterways. These were simple but ingenious: wooden steps securely attached to canal walls, creating an easy ramp for animals to climb out.The results were immediate—fewer animal drownings, fewer emergency calls, and a happier local community. When Amsterdam’s pro-animal political party, PvdD (Party for the Animals), saw this success, they pushed for a similar plan. What makes this story even more interesting? The city already had 100,000 Euros sitting unused in its “wildlife exit points” budget, originally intended for projects exactly like this. One council vote later, and Amsterdam’s canals were set to become a safer haven for animals.
How the wildlife staircases will work to save trapped animals in Amsterdam’s canals
These staircases aren’t just random planks of wood—they’re strategically designed and placed based on research by Dierenambulance (Animal Ambulance). This organisation, which handles thousands of animal rescue calls annually, knows exactly where animals most often fall into trouble.
- Design: Lightweight, durable wooden steps angled slightly upward, allowing even small creatures like hedgehogs to climb easily.
- Placement: Focused on canal edges with high accident rates, such as residential areas where cats roam freely and near parks where ducks feed.
- Durability: Built to withstand constant water exposure, algae buildup, and even winter freezing conditions.
According to Maggie Ruitenberg from the Katten Kenniscentrum, even one well-placed staircase can save dozens of lives a year, especially when cats panic and lose precious minutes trying to find a way out.
Staircases built for animals could save human lives too
14 people die each year in Amsterdam’s canals, many of them tourists who accidentally fall in—often under the influence of alcohol or drugs. While these staircases are primarily for animals, they could also provide unexpected life-saving options for humans.Some parts of Amsterdam already feature human-friendly ledges built during canal renovations, but adding more accessible points—even if initially intended for animals—creates more opportunities for anyone who slips into the water to save themselves. In this way, a project meant to save pets and wildlife could also make Amsterdam’s canals safer for everyone. In fact, Amsterdam may have just created a blueprint for other cities with waterways—from Venice to Bangkok—to adopt simple, wildlife-friendly infrastructure. In an era where urbanisation often pushes wildlife to the margins, these tiny staircases represent a big step towards compassion-driven city planning.Also Read | Meet the Roblox creator behind Free Republic of Verdis, the ‘world’s smallest country’ with 400 citizens and its own passports
