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White cat on houseboat
© De Poezenboot - Facebook

Amsterdam’s iconic catboat celebrates 50 years of feline rescue

By Zoë Monk Content Writer

Published on the

Amsterdam's canals are home to thousands of houseboats, but none are quite as unique as De Poezenboot or The Catboat. 

This floating feline sanctuary, operational for over 50 years, offers a safe haven for rescue cats.

Cat sanctuary on water

Founded by Mrs. van Weelde in 1968, The Catboat began when she ran out of space for the numerous cats she was rescuing. Her innovative solution was to buy a houseboat and convert it into a dedicated sanctuary for cats in need.

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The Catboat's mission is straightforward: to help as many cats as possible, whether found on the streets or surrendered by owners.

With this goal in mind, the sanctuary adopts out over 250 cats annually while also housing several permanent residents. Among these residents are Orfeas, a brave cat who was surrendered after falling out of a window, and Beyaz, an elderly, blind feline.

Despite its popularity with tourists, The Catboat maintains limited visiting hours to ensure the well-being of its feline inhabitants.

@fairy.cat.mother We visited De Poezenboot (The Cat Boat) on our recent trip to Amsterdam. A floating cat sanctuary on a picturesque canal. 😻 It was my favourite part of our trip for sure. If you plan to visit, book ahead to avoid a long wait! Check them out here @De Poezenboot Amsterdam #catboat #catrescue #catsanctuary #cats #Amsterdam #rescue #fyp #depoezenboot #catsoftiktok ♬ Life Could be a dream - CHARGElionOfficial

For those in Amsterdam seeking to meet some local cats, The Catboat is a must-visit. It provides a unique and heartwarming experience on the city's iconic waterways.

When’s the next flight to Amsterdam?

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