travelling with cats in Tunisia

[adamthomlison]

Hey everyone,
My wife and I are moving to Tunisia with our three cats. We fly into Tunis, but our apartment is in Sousse, which is about 2 hours away by car.
We need to find a way to get from Tunis down to Sousse with the cats. Does anyone here know if the trains, taxis or louages allow cats? I'm doubting the louages will, since they're apparently cramped as it is. And I don't know if a taxi will go all the way from Tunis to Sousse (that seems to be what the louages are for).
Any ideas? Thanks a bunch in advance.

[CanuckAbroad]

Heya,

I've taken the train on that route and I am pretty sure you can bring cats. Double check before you book the tickets though. Maybe in 'confort classe'?

[Allyssa]

Hi there,
Welcome to the country with the greatest hospitality I have ever seen!
Cats from Tunis to Sousse -- if that is the least of your worries sounds like you are doing fine! I have seen people carry just about anything on the louage. Granted it can be a little cramped. I would just suggest being willing to keep the kennels on your laps for the duration of the drive. You will need to ask special permission from your louage driver -- maybe an offer to pay for an extra spot on the louage. Similarly, you would have to sweet-talk the average taxi driver to allow the cats. On the train, I think they would be more sticky -- very likely have to put them on as extra luggage (not the safest for live animals) and pay the premium for that.

Have you traveled a lot in Tunisia? Are you very familiar with the country? I lived there for a year and became quite accustomed to various regions. It should be noted that while there are many many stray cats all over the country, it is pretty abnormal (from what I saw) for people to keep a cat inside (as a pet). I just say this so that you can prepare yourself for questions and possibly comments from your neighbours. There isn't much of an SPCA type system in Tunisia, so mangy, flee ridden cats sort of just have their run of the neighbourhood in most areas. You will find less of this in the tourist zone of Sousse, but as soon as you are in a residential area, you will notice that again.

[Allyssa]

Just one little hint --
When you leave the airport by taxi don't go to the taxis waiting at the arrivals level. These taxis have been waiting there often for hours and will charge you at least an extra 5-20 dinar -- depending on your driver -- for your trip to anywhere in Tunis because they have been waiting so long. Rather go to the departures level and catch a cab that has just come in. It will save you a chunk of cash.
Rubbi My-ik,
Allyssa

[adamthomlison]

Thanks all!
I actually found a taxi-rental company (essentially a limo service without the nice car, it seems) that we're going to go with instead. We're going to have so much luggage, as well as three large cat carriers, so we'd like to having someone waiting for us ahead of time and cut down our odds of being stuck.
I figured it was obvious by my total bewilderment to all of this, but we've never been to Tunisia before. We're counting a lot on our luck that all this will work out.

[Allyssa]

That is a good plan. Enshallah the driver wil actually be waiting for you! (Enshallah -- directly translated means "God willing", however, Tunisians also use it as a polite form of "right-- probably not, but it was a good thought!"
Having a back up plan and being flexible is always the best bet I found (I guess that is true anywhere!)

b-slemma (good bye in Tunisian Arabic),
Allyssa

[lmolla]

I am thinking of moving to Tunisia in the next year or so, but I won't leave without my cats. how hard was the trip on you cats and how hard it is to find things like good cat food, little and vet care? what did you have to do before you flew, and do you have any advice? thanks!

[adamthomlison]

The trip was actually very simple. You need very little paperwork to bring pets into the country (I've heard getting them out is a nightmare). The driver was great, but the ride was pretty expensive. I think it was nearly between 50 and 100 euros from Tunis to Sousse. Worth it for the convenience and much less stress on the animals.
You can find cat food and litter here at all the big grocers, but the food is horrible. You might want to consider finding a good, healthy recipe to make it yourself. There are also vets. We have a good one downtown and there's a 24 hour clinic as well.
If you're used to letting your cats out unsupervised, you might want to consider a few things: there are wild cats everywhere so they could catch something, the streets are busy and not everyone here loves cats. A few of our friends have had their cats poisoned by their neighbours. That's the exception, not the rule, but it does happen.
Let me know if you have any more questions.