It might be just our neighbourhood, but it seems there are almost as many cats in Bern as there are on Muriel Street. Given that most residents live in apartments, that means the cats we see on our walks around the neighbourhood are mostly apartment cats – and they need to get in and out of their homes somehow. The Swiss have developed ingenious solutions for their cats. We first noticed a modest cat ramp/ladder on one of our early walks – but it was nothing compared to the increasingly elaborate constructions we have since spotted for cats to access their flats. The most amazing ladders so far are side-by-side on a building around the corner – first, a “spiral staircase” ladder leading to the 4th floor apartment, and, next to it, a three-storey ladder with “Wanderwege” planks going across to both the 2nd and 3rd floor balconies. We’re not sure how cats would do sharing an access ladder to their homes, but like apartment-dwelling people they must have adjusted! We are now trying to figure out where we could build a ladder like this for Boris to use at home.
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These cat ladders are a riot! I hope someday you can catch an actual cat using one. Although I suppose, since cats are nocturnal, this may be one reason you have not seen one yet! The downside of having such a device at home, of course, is the same as with a cat door. You get your cat plus an assortment of “guests” using the same device!
By: Barb Page on March 7, 2011
at 4:14 PM
Fabulous! to see such wonderful cat activity in our Sister City, used by out fellow cats! We’re so glad we accidentally stumbled across it! We love it, and wish there were more here. We only actually know of one. And it’s gone now.
By: Capitol Cats in NEW Bern, NC, USA on April 11, 2011
at 6:39 PM
Thanks for wonderful photos of cat ladders. Really enjoyed seeing them. Best wishes from Liverpool (UK)
By: Maggie on April 15, 2011
at 9:20 PM