is pikine actually pet-friendly? a chaotic look at parks and vet services
okay so i spent three days in pikine trying to figure out if it's actually a good place to bring your dog or cat. the short answer? kinda. the long answer? well, let me tell you about the chaos i found.
first off, rent here is stupid cheap. like, you can get a decent one-bedroom for about $150/month if you don't mind living in a neighborhood where goats wander the streets more than cars. safety? it's a mixed bag. some areas feel totally fine during the day, others... not so much. i wouldn't walk my dog alone at night in certain parts, but that's probably true anywhere.
now for the pet stuff. there's this park near the city center that locals call "the green space" (creative, i know). it's basically a dusty field with a few trees, but dogs seem to love it. no fancy dog parks with agility courses here - just open space and curious locals who might stare at your golden retriever like it's a unicorn.
> "i saw a guy walking what looked like a hyena on a leash once. turns out it was just a really big street dog. welcome to pikine." - overheard at a local cafe
veterinary services exist but they're not what you're used to. the main clinic i found, clinique vétérinaire de pikine, charges about $10 for a basic consultation. that's amazing until you realize they might not have the specific medication your pet needs. i watched them jerry-rig a splint for a cat using popsicle sticks and medical tape. it worked, but still.
> "don't bring your purebred anything here unless you want to explain to ten people why you paid money for a dog instead of just taking one from the street." - local pet owner
the weather right now is brutally hot - like 95°f and humid enough to make you question all your life choices. your pet will need constant water breaks and shade. pikine is close to dakar (about 30 minutes by car), which has slightly better pet resources if you're willing to make the trip.
here's what i learned the hard way: bring your own pet supplies. the local markets have some basics, but if your dog eats a specific brand of grain-free salmon kibble, you're out of luck. also, most locals seem to have street dogs or cats that live outside, so don't expect pet-friendly cafes or stores.
> "i tried to buy a cat carrier and the shopkeeper asked if i was planning to eat the cat. seriously." - frustrated expat
would i recommend pikine for pet owners? if you're flexible, have a tough mixed-breed dog, and don't mind improvising, sure. if you have a pampered chihuahua that needs its nails done every week, maybe stick to somewhere with more pet infrastructure.
just remember: in pikine, your pet might become a local celebrity. people will want to pet it, feed it, and probably name it. roll with it. that's just how things work here.
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