Holiday FAQs
Yes, you can bring your cat with you but you'll also have to bring its certificate of origin, an official record of inoculations and a veterinarian's statement confirming that the pet is in good health preferably dated within a few weeks of departure.
Some airlines allow only one small animal to travel in the passenger cabin, so you have to check the policy of your airline. Make sure that when you book your ticket you let the airline know that you'll be travelling with pets. They'll need to know how many animals you're travelling with and the size and weight of their kennels. Make sure the kennel has vents and a rim of at least one centimetre so that ventilation doesn't get blocked.
Also make sure the kennel is labelled and that your pet is wearing a non-choke collar. In order to avoid travel sickness, don't feed your pet during the last seven hours before your departure. Don't try to sedate your animal prior to travelling as it might endanger its life. Many airlines will refuse to ship an animal that has been given any sort of sedatives.
Pet food is available in most major supermarkets in Egypt and also in big groceries, especially in those of Zamalek and Maadi. Bear in mind, however, it might be a little expensive.
In Cairo, there are several hospitals for pets in addition to some private clinics such as Brooke Hospital for animals in Sayeda Zeinab (+202) 394 3197, Rise Vet Hospital in Heliopolis (+202) 642 8018, People's Dispensary for Sick Animals (+202) 482 2195, Dr Hossam Sidki in Heliopolis (+202) 417 9865, Dr Rafiq Nashid in Zamalek (+202) 736 2402 and Dr Mamdouh Abdel-Fattah in Maadi (+202) 380 4177.
Write to "Holiday FAQs", Travel, Al-Ahram Weekly, Al-Galaa St, Cairo, Egypt, or wtfaq@ahram.org.eg
