From feral street cat to shy foundling: the Poezenboot on the Singel has been caring for discarded cats for decades, rescuing around 250 Amsterdam cats every year. But the ark on which the animals have been camping for 45 years urgently needs to be renewed: help is needed.
On the Poezenboot, stray cats, foundlings and dumped cats that need help are cared for, vaccinated, chipped and neutered. They receive the necessary care in the event of illness or injury. As soon as the cats are better, the volunteers of the Poezenboot will look for a loving and suitable home.
More and more defects arise on the boat and every time patching things up is no longer enough. Due to wear and tear on the foundation, the current ark really needs to be replaced by a new one. “We may let go of a piece of history, but there is nothing else to do,” says Judith Gobets, who has worked with the cats since the boat’s inception. “We are not going to wait until we really sink, we have to get ahead of that point.”
Warm paws
The Poezenboot has therefore started a crowdfunding campaign. “People can decide for themselves which part of the new boat they want to donate to. We are happy with everything, we just want a practical, nice boat, with a cat flap. As long as it is functional and cozy for the cats,” says Gobets.
The comfort of the cats has always been a priority for the foundation. The new boat will be sustainable, energy efficient, equipped with good insulation and will generate its own energy by means of solar panels. “The floor can sometimes be very cold, which cats’ feet don’t like. We would therefore like a heater that ensures warm legs,” says Gobets.
The campaign for the Nieuwe Poezenboot runs until 31 May. You can donate via the Nieuwe Poezenboot website.