Charity

The charity

On one faithful day in 1966 miss Henriette Weelde found a feline family sheltering under a tree opposite of her house at the Herengracht canal in Amsterdam. She could not bear to see them outside and took them in. But soon after another stray joined them, and another, and soon Henriette became known as the cat lady in her neighbourhood. People even brought cats to her when they were no longer able to look after them, but eventually, her house simply became too small.

And thus the Catboat was born. In Amsterdam many people lived on houseboats in the canals, so why not cats? The very first Catboat was on an old Dutch sailing barge, bought in 1968. The entire boat was converted into a boat worthy of housing her ever growing amount of feline companions. Soon the first cats moved in, followed by their very first volunteers.

It took just 3 years before the amount of felines outgrew the boat, resulting in a second boat being bought and outfitted in 1971. More people were visiting as well! Not just to drop off pets, but to look for their own feline companion. In 1979, almost a decade after loyal service, the second boat was replaced by a Dutch houseboat, known as an ‘ark’, which was specially fitted to house cats by a shipyard.

On the 3rd of June 1987 the Catboat got their official status as a charity: the “Catboat Foundation”, however the old name ‘Catboat’ (de Poezenboot) stuck with people.

In 2001 one of the boats was sent out for a complete overhaul, to meet all the legal requirements for a modern animal sanctuary, and the renovation was completed in early 2002. After some finishing touches, the boat welcomed it first resident: Little Flower, who arrived at April 3rd.

At the respectable age of 90, miss Henriette Weelde passed away on May 21st 2005, leaving her legacy to the current owner: Judith. She was involved from a young age, always involved with the Catboat, and she became the main contact when Miss Weelde was no longer able to attend the catboat.

Under the love and care of Judith the Catboat ventured into cyberspace in 2003 but unfortunately in 2006 the second catboat, after a lengthy battle with the local bureaucracy, had to be towed away. For now they have to work with half the space, and this is where we from Furvester come in!

How can I help?

During the convention, we are all raising funds for our feline friends in various ways. Fursuiters with donation boxes will roam the site, but we will have an information booth as well where you can show your support through buying some merchandise, or make a donation.

Join us for the ‘Meet the charity’ panel, where you can learn more about this wonderful initiative and at the charity auction you will be able to place a bid on unique items in further support of the Catboat and its volunteers.