Shopping, Pets, Recommended Services and things to consider in Brussels

The two major shopping centres in Brussels are the City2 (Métro Rogier) and Fnac. For supermarkets, try Delhaize or Carrefour. Since there is a "market day " every day of the week somewhere within one of Brussels’ 19 communes, you should have no trouble finding special treasures to bring home - whether it's antiques, flowers, or even birds!
Brussels Markets, Shopping districts.
 
For features, events, television and cinema in Brussels, check The Bulletin.
If you're looking for a specific business or service, try Infobel Belgium, which is a telephone directory you can search by topic and then by region.  For example, you could select Belgium restaurants, and then choose Brussels. 
 
GROCERY STORES / ÉPICERIES

• ALDI
• CARREFOUR
• CORA 
• DELHAIZE   
• COLRUYT
• STONE MANOR (specializing in British food)
• PICARD (similar to M&M Meats)

HARDWARE STORES

• BRICO

 
MALLS/OUTLETS
• WOLUWE SHOPPING CENTER
Boulevard de la Woluwe 70
1200 Woluwe-Saint-Lambert
Hours: Mon-Thurs and Sat from 10am-7pm. Fri 10am-8pm, Closed Sun
 
• WESTLAND SHOPPING CENTER
Bld. Sylvain Dupuis, 433
1070 Anderlecht
Tel: 02/524.00.14
Hours: Mon-Thurs and Sat 10am.-7:30pm, Fri 10am-8pm, Closed Sun
 
• L’ESPLANADE
Place de l'Accueil 10
1348 Louvain-la-Neuve
Tél : 010/230.121 
Hours: Mon-Thurs 10am-8pm,
Fri 10am-9pm, Sat 10am-8pm 
Closed Sun 
 
• ROERMOND DESIGNER OUTLET (Open Sundays – 1 ½ hrs from Brussels)
Stadsweide 2 6041 TD Roermond, Netherlands
Hours: Mon-Sun 10am-7pm.
Thurs 10am-8pm
 
• MAASMECHELEN VILLAGE (DESIGNER OUTLET) (1 hr from Brussels)
Maasmechelen Village
Zetellaan 100
3630 Maasmechelen
Belgium
Hours: Monday - Friday: 10 am - 6 pm
Saturday and Sunday: 10 am - 7 pm

MOVING OUTCAN WITH A PET
Each airline company has its own policy regarding transportation of animals.  Options for shipping your pet are in Cabin, in the Hold, in Cargo as freight.  The options are available to you will be outlined in the airline’s pet policy. Additionally, many airlines do not ship animals during summer months, and airlines that will ship animals during summer months have limited capacity. It is recommended that you contact potential airline companies regarding their specific pet policy and space, as soon as you know your potential flight dates.
 
In the event there is no airline flying out of your local airport you may need to drive to an airport departing from a nearby city.  For example: Air France services Montreal Airport (YUL) but does not service Ottawa Airport (YOW).  Look into the moving policy for more information.
Below is some information on two airlines that have flights between Canadian cities and Brussels Airport (BRU) and that accommodate pet travel during summer months:
 
• AIR FANCE
• BRUSSELS AIR
 
When transporting small pets as hand baggage, there is often a standard fee. Shipping larger pets, like dogs, can be an expensive venture, as you pay according to weight and volume.
Be aware that there may be a handling charge, depending on the airline used, and there may be a €25 fee that can be paid to customs.
 
*If you have to ship a larger pet as freight, in a kennel, your pet will arrive on the cargo side of Zaventem (Brussels) airport, where you will have to pick them up in person.
 
IMPORTANT DOCUMENTATIONS
When moving your pet overseas, you must have a Certificate of Health or Veterinary Certificate issued by Canada, which accompanies the pet while they are in transit. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) website has the necessary forms and accompanying directions required.
 
Vaccinations and check-ups have a strict schedule when it comes to transporting your pet overseas. For the exact requirements and timings check the CFIA website for the necessary documentation.
 
*Be sure to begin looking into the process early, as the paperwork can take some time to obtain and the vaccination schedule/validity of the certificate can be quite strict.

SUGGESTIONS FROM WITHING THE COMMUNITY
Please note that these suggestions have not been “vetted” by the MFS and that we are simply providing the information about veterinarians and kennels.
 
Like most family physicians, you will find veterinarians often work out of an office space in their home, and a Google search for veterinarians in your neighbourhood will likely turn up various options. Veterinarian fees are less expensive in Belgium than in Canada, however it is common that you will be sent to the pharmacy for any required prescriptions.
 

• M. SNIJDERS 19-21 Steenbergstraat Hoeilaart 02/657.3658

• DR. THAS 154 Mechelsesteenweg Steerebeek 02/731.7383

• DR. SIMONS 4 Avenue Dezangre Kraainem 02/721.3705

• DR. CATHERINE MARICQ Avenue Des Sorbier 8 Kraainem 02/720.5770   • DRS. HENRI, CARPET ET LEBRUN Avenue du Chant d’Oiseau 52 1150 Woluwe Saint-Pierre   • LESLIE PRESCOTT (near stockel and makes house calls)   • COSYVET Avenue Jacques de Meurers 88, 1150, Woluwe Saint-Pierre Phone : 0475 91 62 41

• U.S MILITARY VETERINARIAN
Chièvres
Tel: +32 (0)6 827 5435
 
• ON CALL VETERINARIANS
If your pet happens to get sick and your vet is unavailable, call +3226442424 for emergencies

• NOS AMIS FIDÈLES
Chemin de Camuselle 9, 1380, Lasne
E-MAIL : [email protected]
 
• PENTO ANIMAL BOARDING (closed Sunday & Tuesday)
Nijelsebaan 250
B-3090 Overijse

• BECKY’S CATTERY AND KENNELS (will pick up and drop off your pet)
Old Farm
Andstraat 132
3130 Begijnendijk
 
• U.S. MILITARY BOARDING
Chièvres
 
• LA MAISON DU CHIEN
Chaussee de Charleroi 74
1380 Pancenoit
 
• NOS PETITS AMIS (Cat boarding)
Rue Lambert Vandervelde 52
1170 Watermael-Boitsfort
(ask for Nadine Engler)
 
• PAWSHAKE

• SOMERS
Rue de l’Eglise
1950 Kraainem
 
• TOM & CO
Chain store

SUGGESTIONS FROM WITHING THE COMMUNITY
Please note that these suggestions have not been “vetted” by the MFS and that we are simply providing the information about Different services.
 
PROFESSIONAL COACH
 
• LAURENCE BOOGAERTS
SEX: Female
ADDRESS: 556 avenue de la Couronne, 1050 Ixelles (University District)
PHONE: 02 477 85 25 78
LANGUAGES SPOKEN: French
E-mail: [email protected]
 
BEAUTY SALONS

GLAM BEAUTY IXELLES (Hair,face,nails,massage)
ADDRESS: Avenue de la Toison d'Or 50, 1050 Ixelles 
PHONE: 02 470 70 10 35 
LANGUAGES SPOKEN: French and English 
 
HAIRDRESSERS
 
• BLOW HAIR & SKIN
SEX : Male and Female
ADDRESS: Rue Charles Degroux 101040 Brussels,Belgium and Rue Archimèede 21-23, 1000 Brussels.
PHONE: 02 734 08 00 and 02 488 91 58 84
LANGUAGES SPOKEN: English,French and Dutch 
E-MAIL: [email protected]
 
• HOUSE LAURENT PATRICK HAIR
SEX: Male and Female
ADDRESS: Steenweg op Mechelen 362,1950 Kraainem 
PHONE: 02 767 97 67
LANGUAGES SPOKEN: English, French and Dutch
E-mail: [email protected]
 
• OLIVIER DUPREZ
SEX: Male
ADDRESS: Frans, François Vander Elststraat 6, 1950 Kraainem
PHONE: 02 731 19 71
LANGUAGES SPOKEN: English, French and Dutch 
 
• AU TEMPS D’ÉLISE (Hair)
ADDRESS: 11 Avenue Saint Pancrace 1950 Kraainem
WEBSITE: 
PHONE: 02 720 33 53
LANGUAGES SPOKEN: French
 
MECHANICS
 
• SOSTEAM
ADDRESS: Chaussée de Vilvorde 146, Brussels, Belgium
PHONE: 02 880 32 18 
LANGUAGES SPOKEN: English, French, Dutch and Spanish 
E-mail: [email protected]

• SOS PLOMBIER

CLEANING PRODUCTS

Your washing machine is much different compared to the one in Canada, though it may seem small, you can wash up to 5 kg of clothing in each wash. However, if your clothing is very solid, reduce the clothing quantity by one third. 
 
It is recommended that you use European soaps as they are made specially for the type of machine in your house. Liquid soaps will dissolve quicker with less risk of leaving residue inside your machine and plumbing.
 
HOUSE MAINTENANCE

• DRYER: The filter for lint, even when not visible should be cleaned after each use. Never use Downy sheets, as they are not made for European machines. Some dryers, liked condensation dryers, don't have an outdoor vent, but a water reservoir that you must regularly empty. 
 
• DISWASHER: It is very important that you add special salt (sel regenerant) inside your dishwasher in a little compartment on the bottom. This can be purchased in the dishwasher soap department and should be added each month. If you notice white build up on the element of your dishwasher, add a cup of vinegar to the bottom of the dishwasher and run a cycle without dish soap. 
 
• FLOOR DRAINS: It is possible to get a bad odor from the floor drains, to prevent it; water must be adding regularly to keep the drains airtight thereby blocking odors. Then add a cup of vinegar to the drains of the basin, tub and shower to prevent odors.