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Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP) has a range of services for passengers travelling with dogs. Assistance animals are allowed to travel with passengers with disabilities, and there are eight pet relief areas in total. If your dog is not a certified assistance animal, you can drop them off at flight check-in and collect them at excess baggage claim. There is also an on-site boarding facility, Now Boarding, where you can drop off your pet and park your car, before taking a shuttle to the terminal. If you're staying in Minneapolis with your dog, there are plenty of dog-friendly attractions, including the Minneapolis Airport Off-Leash Dog Park, Minnehaha Regional Park, and the dog-friendly Lakes & Legends Brewing Company.
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What You'll Learn
Assistance animals are allowed for passengers with disabilities
Assistance animals are allowed to travel with passengers with disabilities at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport. However, certain rules and restrictions apply. For instance, to be accepted as a psychiatric service dog for air travel, your dog must be certified.
The airport provides eight pet relief areas in total. Terminal 1 has three pre-security locations and three post-security stations. Terminal 2 has one pre-security and one post-security location. Passengers traveling with a service animal can request an escort from their airline or Travelers Assistance to the pet relief area. The MSP Airport pet policy requires that all non-service animals be kept in kennels while in the airport’s facilities, except when using the animal relief areas. However, animals should be leashed when using these facilities.
If your airline does not offer a checked baggage option, your dog will need to fly as cargo. The airport's website provides a full list of supported cargo airlines. The Minneapolis-St. Paul pet policy requires all animal owners to independently collect their dogs from an airline-specific cargo building. Most of these facilities are clustered in the southwestern quadrant of the airport campus, along I-494. There is no shuttle service to these buildings, so pet owners must arrange private transportation.
The Minneapolis Airport Off-Leash Dog Park is a popular dog park in Minneapolis, located just south of Highway 62. It offers year-round fun for dogs and their owners across 80 acres of land. It should be noted that this park is not managed by the city and therefore has no amenities. Dog owners should bring water and waste bags and take them with them when they leave.
If you are unable to secure private animal boarding options, the Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport has recently introduced a pet-friendly initiative called Now Boarding. This service allows pet owners to drop off their animals, park, and take a shuttle straight to the airport. Now Boarding is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
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Non-service animals must be kenneled
Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP) has a range of services for those travelling with pets. The airport's pet policy requires that all non-service animals be kept in kennels while in the airport’s facilities. This does not include trips to the animal relief areas, but animals should be leashed when using these facilities. There are eight pet relief areas in total, with Terminal 1 offering three pre-security locations and three post-security stations. Terminal 2 has one pre-security and one post-security location. There are also several pet relief areas in Terminal 1, located near the entrance to Concourse E in the Airport Mall, by Gate F6, and on the C/G Connector Bridge. At Terminal 2, there is a grassy area just outside Door 8 on Level 1, and an indoor pet relief area near Gate H11. Passengers travelling with a service animal can request an escort from their airline or Travelers Assistance to the pet relief area.
If you are travelling with a non-service animal, it is important to plan ahead. Check with your airline about required veterinary papers, kennel sizes, and restrictions. If your airline does not offer a checked baggage option, your dog will need to fly as cargo. The airport provides a list of supported cargo airlines on its website. Most cargo facilities are located in the southwestern quadrant of the airport campus, along I-494. There is no shuttle service to these buildings, so pet owners must arrange private transportation.
If you are unable to secure private animal boarding options, the airport offers a pet-friendly initiative called Now Boarding. This service allows pet owners to drop off their animals, park, and take a shuttle to the airport. Now Boarding is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It is recommended that pet owners travelling through Minneapolis/St. Paul exercise caution during the winter months. If temperatures dip below 35 degrees (or rise above 85), your airline may deem the conditions unsafe for animal travel in the cargo hold.
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Pet relief areas are available
The Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport provides eight pet relief areas in total. Each terminal has indoor and outdoor options. Terminal 1 has three pre-security stations and three post-security stations, while Terminal 2 has one pre-security and one post-security location. These areas are strategically placed, allowing easy access for all animals, regardless of whether they are entering or exiting the airport.
For Terminal 1, there are pre-security pet relief areas located outside both Door 1 and Door 4 on the Baggage Claim Level. There is also a new pet relief area outside the Silver Parking Ramp. To access the post-security stations, pass through security and follow the signs to the designated areas. The first location is near the entrance to Concourse E in the Airport Mall. The second location is on the C/G Connector Bridge, and the third is by Gate F6.
For Terminal 2, there is a grassy area just outside Door 8 on Level 1 near baggage claim for the pre-security location. For the post-security location, pass through security and locate Gate H11, where the relief station will be directly adjacent. Passengers travelling with a service animal can request an escort from their airline or Traveller's Assistance to the pet relief area.
The outdoor pet relief stations are small but very convenient and accessible. Each provides a bench for owners to relax on while their dogs stretch their legs. The indoor stations are also small but accommodating, with each including a "stall" with artificial grass and a fire hydrant. The airport's pet policy requires that all non-service animals be kept in kennels while in the airport's facilities, except when travelling to the animal relief areas. However, animals should be leashed while using these facilities.
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Nearby pet boarding facilities are available
Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP) has a pet-friendly initiative called Now Boarding, which is located on the airport's property. This service allows pet owners to drop off their pets, park at the facility, and take a complimentary shuttle to their terminal. Now Boarding also offers a 24/7 pick-up service from the terminal, reuniting owners with their pets and vehicles.
Now Boarding requires all dogs to be on a leash or in a carrier, and all cats and other animals to be in a carrier. Dogs and cats over six months must be spayed or neutered to participate in group play. Individual playtime is available for those that are not.
There are other pet boarding facilities near the airport, such as Woof Central Dog Boarding in Richfield, which offers spacious playrooms, a private den or suite, and daily activities for dogs. West Metro Pet Care provides dog walking, short-term pet sitting, and drop-in services. Additionally, Xdog offers both training and boarding facilities.
The airport also has eight pet relief areas in total. Terminal 1 has three pre-security locations and three post-security stations. Terminal 2 has one pre-security and one post-security location.
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Dog-friendly attractions and accommodation in Minneapolis
Minneapolis is a great city to visit with your dog, as it offers a wide range of dog-friendly attractions and accommodation options. Here is some information on both:
Dog-friendly attractions in Minneapolis
The city has plenty of dog-friendly restaurants, parks, breweries, and other activities to enjoy with your furry friend. Here are some options:
- Dog-friendly restaurants and bars include The Howe Daily Kitchen & Bar, which offers a dog-friendly patio and a dedicated doggy menu, Stanley's Northeast Bar Room, which has a 3-course dog menu, and The Fix Studio & Cafe, which is dog-friendly inside and out and offers free treats and water. Other options include The French Meadow, Barbette, Aster Cafe, Centro, Pat's Tap, and Duke's on 7.
- Dog parks include the Minneapolis Airport Off-Leash Dog Park, which offers 80 acres of mixed open space and paths bordering a swamp/wetland area, and Minnehaha Dog Park, which features trails, beaches, and access to the Mississippi River.
- Dog-friendly breweries include Lakes & Legends Brewing Company, Inbound BrewCo, Bauhaus Brew Labs, Indeed Brewing Company, and Wild Mind Artisan Ales. Many of these breweries welcome well-behaved, leashed dogs both inside and outside, and some offer water dishes and dog treats.
- Other attractions include the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden, located on the campus of the Walker Art Center, which allows leashed dogs to join their owners while exploring the garden's artwork. The Hitching Company also offers pet-friendly carriage rides through the city, providing a unique way to see the sights with your dog by your side.
Dog-friendly accommodation in Minneapolis
There are several dog-friendly hotels in Minneapolis that offer a range of amenities for you and your furry companion. Here are some options:
- Radisson RED in Downtown East/Mill City allows up to two pets up to 40 lbs with no fee and provides dog beds, dishes, and treats.
- Hewing Hotel welcomes two pets of any size for a fee of $75 per pet and offers BarkBox Memory Foam Dog Beds. Dogs are allowed in the rooms unattended and are even permitted in the bar and lounge.
- Hyatt Centric Downtown allows two pets of any size to stay for free and provides water bowls, treats, dog beds, and small crates.
- Residence Inn Downtown welcomes two pets up to 150 lbs for a fee of $100 per stay. Well-behaved pets are allowed in the rooms unattended and have access to a small grass area onsite.
- Moxy Uptown allows two pets (dogs or cats) up to 100 lbs for a $50 non-refundable fee and features dog art and a dog station in the lobby.
- La Quinta Inns is a company that is mostly dog-friendly, with many locations accommodating pets with no additional fees.
- The Lofton Hotel Minneapolis, Tapestry Collection by Hilton is located in the centre of Minneapolis and offers car rentals and Wi-Fi.
- Hotel Ivy, A Luxury Collection Hotel is a 4-star hotel located in the heart of Minneapolis, offering a sauna, yoga classes, and massage therapy.
- Elliot Park Hotel, Autograph Collection is a 4-star hotel located in the centre of Minneapolis, providing easy access to nearby attractions such as the Mill City Museum and Hubert H Humphrey Metrodome.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, dogs are allowed inside the Minneapolis Airport. However, the airport's pet policy requires that all non-service dogs be kept in kennels while in the airport’s facilities.
Yes, the airport maintains pet and service animal relief areas at both terminals. Terminal 1 has three pre-security locations and three post-security stations. Terminal 2 has one pre-security and one post-security location.
Assistance animals are allowed to travel with passengers who have disabilities. If your dog does not qualify as a service animal, it will need to fly as cargo.
Yes, there is a popular off-leash dog park near the airport. It is located just south of Highway 62 and covers 80 acres.
