This Dutch city has installed special stairs for cats in case they fall into canals

Falling into a canal is basically a Dutch rite of passage. But when it happens to cats? Not so cute. 

In spite of their nine lives, cats aren’t great swimmers, and with steep canal walls, there’s often no way out.

However, the municipality of Amersfoort is not leaving their feline friends to flounder.

What did they decide? It’s time to introduce cat stairs; a surprisingly adorable Dutch invention that’s saving paws, one soggy rescue at a time.

How does it work?

The cat stairs aren’t exactly spiral staircases or IKEA masterpieces, think more along the lines of wooden or metal planks fixed to the water’s edge, sometimes with mesh for grip.

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Sure, they’re not much to look at, but if you’re a flailing furball in a canal, it’s basically a luxury ladder to safety.

The stairs have been installed with one goal in mind: giving cats and other small critters a fighting chance when gravity, curiosity and canals collide.

300 stairs and counting

The municipality isn’t messing around. They’re aiming to install around 300 of these cat stairs all across the city; from the charming Vathorst to the bustling centre. 

So wherever a kitty might take an accidental dip, there’s a little ramp ready to help it bounce back.

Locals have been helping pinpoint the best spots to install the stairs, especially in places where cats like to roam. 

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Since not all canal edges are public property, residents are even being encouraged to install their own little cat-friendly ramps. 

Want even more wholesome news? The municipality of Amersfoort isn’t the only one thinking about cats; Leiden is also hoping to install cat stairs within the next five years.

Would your cat use the stairs or just scream until someone helped? Tell us below in the comments.