Amsterdam, famous for its charming canals and narrow streets, is taking a new step to protect some of its smallest residents: cats. Reports show that cats are falling into the canals when startled and whilst they are able swimmers they struggle to climb back out. In the last six months, 19 cats have drowned in Amsterdam.

Now, following the lead of nearby city Amersfoort, Amsterdam plans to install a network of small wooden staircases along its canal banks to give animals a safe way out. Amersfoort began installing the structures in June and has since added hundreds of the simple escape routes, designed not only for cats but for any small animals that might fall into the water.

Amsterdam’s city councillors have voted to allocate up to €100,000 to make the canals safer for wildlife. The council plans to consult with animal welfare organisation Dierenambulance to identify where cats and other animals find it hardest to escape. The council will then use this information to work out where to place them.