Amsterdam is considering a proposal that would urge cat owners to equip their feline companions with bells or collars before they venture outdoors, aiming to alert birds and wildlife to their

presence.

This initiative is part of a broader plan under discussion by city officials to maintain Amsterdam's status as an "animal-friendly" urban center.

While cats are among the few animals permitted to roam the city independently, officials highlight their threat to local bird populations. Research from Wageningen University indicates that domestic cats are responsible for the deaths of approximately 18 million birds annually.

Additionally, Amsterdam plans to launch a campaign promoting the chipping and sterilization of cats, aiming to control the population of feral cats. The city has also agreed to refrain from releasing sterilized feral cats into environmentally sensitive areas.

Efforts to address the issues associated with domestic cats have been ongoing. In 2021, the Huiskat Thuiskat foundation pursued legal action to compel the government to address the issue of cats freely roaming outdoors.

While welcoming the introduction of bells, the foundation cites research indicating that they only reduce a cat's hunting success by 33% to 50%.

Ecologists advocate for a curfew for cats as well. A paper published by Tilburg University environmental law professors in 2019 highlighted the significant threat posed by domestic cats to around 370 species in the Netherlands.

The researchers emphasized that under the European Bird and Habitat Directives, allowing cats to roam freely and prey on wildlife is illegal.

At the national level, the government plans to introduce legislation mandating the chipping and registration of all domestic cats in the Netherlands. This measure aims to facilitate the swift reunion of lost pets with their owners and address the challenges posed by feral cat populations.

With approximately 2.9 million pet cats in the country and an annual report of 60,000 missing cats, local councils incur significant costs—amounting to €4.8 million yearly—in caring for stray animals. Photo by nathalie_r, Wikimedia commons.