Amsterdam is considering legislation to require cat owners to hang a bell on their pets’ collars to give birds a warning when cats are on the loose. Cats are the only city pets allowed to roam free in Amsterdam.
A recent Wageningen University report estimates that cats kill about 18 million birds a year. Proponents of the plan say they want Amsterdam to continue to be known as an animal-friendly city, and the proposal is part of an overall plan to achieve that goal.
A foundation that sued in 2021 to force cat owners to keep their pets indoors says it welcomes the bell plan, but believes it would only reduce the toll by 33 to 50%
