Amsterdam’s floating cat sanctuary: the story of the Poezenboot

A floating cat sanctuary on an Amsterdam canal offers rescue and peace to abandoned felines—and a unique experience for animal-loving visitors.

Amsterdam may be known for many things—its elegant canals, Van Gogh, stroopwafels, and a laid-back approach to life—but few people realize it’s also a quiet paradise for cat lovers. Surprising? Perhaps. But nestled along one of the city’s most iconic waterways lies a place where stray cats aren’t just cared for—they’re cherished. Welcome aboard De Poezenboot, literally “The Cat Boat.”

This isn’t just a catchy name. It’s a floating sanctuary for cats, moored gently on the Herengracht canal, right in the historic heart of the Dutch capital. At first glance, it might seem like a quirky tourist attraction. But step inside (politely and in small numbers), and you’ll find a refuge with deep roots, tender stories, and a mission that has been floating steadily along for nearly six decades.

How a woman and a few kittens started a feline revolution

To understand how this unusual refuge came to be, we have to rewind the clock back to 1966. That year, a local woman named Henriette van Weelde discovered a mother cat and her kittens hiding beneath a tree near her home on the Herengracht.

It’s the kind of moment that might have ended in a simple adoption or perhaps a call to a shelter. But van Weelde had a different instinct. She took them in. Then she took in another. And another. Before long, her home became a haven for stray and abandoned cats, and she, affectionately, became known around the neighborhood as “the cat lady.”

As her feline family grew—into the dozens—it became clear that her home could no longer handle the needs of so many four-legged guests. So in 1968, she did something typically Amsterdam and wonderfully unexpected: she bought a barge.

This was no ordinary act of generosity. Transforming a canal boat into a cat sanctuary was as bold as it was brilliant. Locals were intrigued. Visitors started arriving. Some came to help, others to adopt. And the boat, floating quietly along the canal, became a symbol of compassion.

Over time, the number of residents (both feline and human) increased, and a second boat was purchased, followed by a replacement for the original. In 1987, De Poezenboot made its next evolution official by registering as “Stichting de Poezenboot” – The Catboat Foundation.

Although van Weelde passed away in 2005, her legacy sails on. Today, a small team of dedicated volunteers and supporters continues her mission, offering love, care, and second chances to cats that have nowhere else to go.

How (and why) to visit the cat boat

The Cat Boat remains a beloved destination for both animal lovers and curious travelers alike. But don’t expect a circus of kittens or the Instagram-ready cuteness of a cat café. This is a genuine sanctuary, and the cats are its dignified residents—not attractions.

Visitors are welcome, but only on Tuesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, and just six guests are allowed on board at a time to ensure a peaceful environment. The rules are simple: be respectful. You’re not here to scoop up a cat just because it’s adorable (even though, yes, they really are).

“The cats are free to come to you—or not,” explain the volunteers. “This is their home. We’re just visitors.” Some cats may be curious and affectionate, others may prefer lounging on a sunny windowsill, lazily observing the ducks paddling by. Either way, the experience is gently enchanting.

And for those who feel a spark—who find themselves locked in eye contact with a ginger tabby or soothed by the quiet presence of a grey elder—adoptions are possible, too. But again, only for those who truly understand what it means to welcome a cat into their lives.

A city with a heart for animals

It might seem odd that such a place exists in the center of a bustling European capital. But really, it’s very Amsterdam. The city is famously tolerant, creative, and a little offbeat. A floating cat refuge fits in as naturally as bicycles and bridges.

De Poezenboot isn’t flashy. There’s no gift shop or social media spectacle. Just a floating shelter, a lot of furry personalities, and a team of humans doing quiet work with enormous heart.

So if you ever find yourself strolling the canal-lined streets of Amsterdam, make time for this small, floating miracle. You may not leave with a cat—but you’ll definitely leave with a story.

SOURCE: De Poezenboot