Roberta Aguirre
San Francisco International Airport (SFO) has a range of policies in place regarding dogs and other pets. Service animals are allowed to accompany passengers with disabilities, with certain exemptions and restrictions. Non-service animals must be kenneled and ready for travel in the airport terminals, and they are not permitted to go to the gate. SFO also offers several indoor and outdoor animal relief areas, which are fully-fenced, landscaped, and accessible 24/7. These areas provide drinking bowls and garbage areas with mutt mitt dispensers. When navigating the airport, it is recommended to avoid moving walkways and escalators, opting for elevators instead to prevent injuries to pets.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Service animals allowed | Yes |
| Pets allowed in airport terminals | Yes, but they must be kenneled and ready for travel |
| Pets allowed on AirTrain | No, only service animals are permitted |
| Pet relief areas | Seven in total: two in Terminal 1, one in Terminal 2, one in Terminal 3, one in the International Terminal, and two outdoor locations in Terminal 1 and Terminal 3 |
| Crates and carriers required for non-service animals | Yes |
| Pet cargo locations | Delta Airlines Cargo, United Airlines Cargo, American Airlines Cargo, Lufthansa Airlines Cargo, Asiana Airlines Cargo, Swiss World Cargo |
What You'll Learn
- Service animals are allowed in airport terminals without being kenneled
- Non-service animals must be kenneled in airport terminals
- SFO has seven animal relief areas, which are fully-fenced, landscaped, and wheelchair accessible
- Animal relief areas provide drinking bowls and garbage areas with mutt mitt dispensers
- SFO has a program called Wag Brigade, where trained dogs roam terminals to make passenger travel more enjoyable
Service animals are allowed in airport terminals without being kenneled
SFO has implemented a "Wag Brigade" program, where trained dogs and other animals roam the terminals to make passenger travel more enjoyable. These animals are certified through the San Francisco Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SFSPCA) Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT) Program and wear vests that say "Pet Me!". Lilou, a Juliana-breed pig, was the first non-canine addition to the Wag Brigade.
If you are travelling with a service animal, it is important to be aware of the rules and restrictions that may apply. For example, the SFO pet policy recommends avoiding moving walkways and escalators, which can be dangerous for animals. Instead, carry your pet or transport them in a kennel, and use elevators to change levels.
When travelling with an animal, it is always a good idea to check with your airline about any specific requirements or restrictions they may have. This includes information on veterinary papers, kennel sizes, and other restrictions. Additionally, if your pet is travelling as checked baggage or cargo, you will need to arrange for private transportation to pick them up from the airline-specific cargo office location, as there is no public transportation or shuttle service available.
Airports and Temperature Checks: What's the Current Protocol?
You may want to see also
Non-service animals must be kenneled in airport terminals
If you are travelling with a non-service animal, there are a few things you should know about the rules and requirements at San Francisco International Airport (SFO). Firstly, all non-service animals must be kenneled and ready for travel while in the airport terminals. This means that your pet should be in a crate or carrier at all times unless they are in a designated animal relief area. These relief areas are fully fenced, landscaped, and wheelchair accessible, providing essential elements for your pet such as drinking areas with bowls and garbage areas with mutt mitt dispensers. You can locate these relief areas by following the painted paw-prints on the arrivals level terminal curbside walkways.
It is important to note that service animals are subject to different regulations. Service animals are permitted to roam freely in the airport terminals and are also allowed on the AirTrain. If you are travelling with a service animal, be sure to check with your airline for any additional requirements they may have.
When navigating the airport with your pet, it is recommended to avoid moving walkways and escalators as they can be dangerous for animals. Instead, carry your pet, transport them in a kennel, or walk with them on the floor, and use elevators to change levels. Additionally, if your pet is travelling as checked baggage or cargo, you will need to collect them from the airline-specific cargo office location. These locations are scattered throughout the airport, and private transportation will be required to retrieve your pet.
To ensure a smooth travel experience, it is essential to plan ahead. Before your trip, be sure to ask your airline about any required veterinary papers, kennel sizes, and restrictions. Additionally, if your pet is travelling as cargo, research the location and contact information for the relevant cargo facility in advance. By following these guidelines and staying informed about the airport's policies, you can ensure a safe and enjoyable journey for both you and your furry companion.
Airport Security Scanners: Rings, a Potential Threat?
You may want to see also
SFO has seven animal relief areas, which are fully-fenced, landscaped, and wheelchair accessible
San Francisco International Airport (SFO) has seven animal relief areas in total. These are fully-fenced, landscaped, and accessible to wheelchair users. They are available 24/7 and can be located by following the painted paw-prints on the terminal curbside walkways.
The indoor locations are as follows:
- Two in Terminal 1
- One in Terminal 2
- One in Terminal 3
- One in the International Terminal
The two outdoor locations are in Terminal 1 and Terminal 3.
These stations provide essential elements for animals in transit, such as drinking areas with bowls and garbage areas with mutt mitt dispensers.
CBP Officers: Airport Security and Beyond
You may want to see also
Animal relief areas provide drinking bowls and garbage areas with mutt mitt dispensers
Animal Relief Areas are essential for animals in transit. They are fully fenced and landscaped, with accessibility for disabled users. They are also available 24 hours a day. These areas provide drinking bowls and garbage bins with mutt mitt dispensers.
The San Francisco International Airport has seven animal relief areas in total. Two are located outdoors in Terminal 1 and Terminal 3. The remaining five are indoors, with two in Terminal 1, and one each in Terminal 2, Terminal 3, and the International Terminal.
Painted paw prints on the terminal curbside walkways lead the way to the outdoor locations. Overhead signage on the departures level guides users to the indoor locations.
Animal Relief Areas are a great resource for pets and service animals in transit. They provide a safe and accessible space for animals to relieve themselves and get a drink of water. The garbage bins and mutt mitt dispensers help to keep the space clean and sanitary.
The Animal Relief Areas are conveniently located and well-signed, making them easily accessible for travellers with pets. These areas are a great example of how San Francisco International Airport caters to the needs of its passengers and their furry friends.
Fort Myers Airport: Power Outages and Preparedness
You may want to see also
SFO has a program called Wag Brigade, where trained dogs roam terminals to make passenger travel more enjoyable
San Francisco International Airport (SFO) launched a program called Wag Brigade in 2013, where trained dogs roam the terminals to make passenger travel more enjoyable. The San Francisco Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) brought dogs certified through their Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT) Program to be part of the brigade.
The animals wear vests that read "Pet Me!", and they are carefully selected for their temperament and airport suitability. The program includes a range of dogs, from a six-pound miniature cockapoo named Chanel to a 104-pound English Chocolate Lab named Bombay. In addition to dogs, the Wag Brigade also includes a Juliana-breed pig named Lilou, who was the first pig to join the team in 2016, and a Flemish Giant rabbit named Alex, who visits the airport several times a month.
The Wag Brigade has its own Instagram account, @SFOWagBrigade, where travellers can follow the animals' adventures and learn more about the program. The therapy animals are certified by SFSPCA, and the brigade is a joint program between the airport and the organisation.
While the Wag Brigade adds a friendly and unique element to the airport, it is important to note that SFO's policy states that only service animals and those being shipped are typically allowed in the terminal areas. Non-service animals must be in crates or carriers unless they are in designated animal relief areas.
Colorado Springs Airport: Does It Exist?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Only service dogs are allowed in the terminals at SFO. All other dogs must be kenneled and ready for travel.
Yes, SFO launched the "Wag Brigade" in 2013, which brings trained dogs to the terminals to make passenger travel more enjoyable.
Yes, there are seven pet relief areas at SFO. Two are located in Terminal 1, and one each in Terminals 2 and 3, and the International Terminal. There are also two outdoor locations in Terminal 1 and Terminal 3.
Dogs over four months old must have a certificate of current rabies vaccination. It is recommended that you check with your airline for any additional requirements.
If your dog is small enough to travel with you in the cabin, you can pick it up at baggage claim. If your dog is shipped separately, you will need to contact your airline for their cargo office location.
