Lois Larson
Airports can be stressful for both humans and animals, but many airports are now equipped with pet relief stations, so your furry friend can stretch their legs, have a drink of water, and relieve themselves. Since May 2009, the Department of Transportation (DOT) has required all airlines to provide service animal relief areas (SARAs) and escorts to those areas for passengers travelling with service animals. As a result, airports have created and expanded animal relief areas that are open to all pets. These areas typically include patches of real or fake grass and space to move around. Some airports even have multiple pet relief areas, with indoor and outdoor options, and some have on-site resorts with premium grooming services and obedience training.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | Indoors and outdoors, pre- and post-security, near baggage claim, near gates, near parking, etc. |
| Amenities | Waste bags, disposal bins, cleaning supplies, artificial grass, fake fire hydrants, fresh water, sinks, etc. |
| Rules | Escorts provided for service animals, dogs of all sizes and breeds allowed, etc. |
| Examples | Los Angeles International Airport, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, Washington Dulles International Airport, Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport, etc. |
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What You'll Learn
US airports with pet relief areas
Since May 2009, US Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations have required all airlines to provide service animal relief areas (SARAs) at airports. Airports have also been mandated to provide escorts to these relief areas for passengers travelling with service animals. As a result, many US airports have established pet relief areas that are open to all pets, not just service animals.
Denver International Airport
Denver International Airport has private restrooms for pets in each of its concourses. There is also an on-site resort called Wag Hotels, which offers various services for dogs and cats, including overnight boarding, doggy daycare, and obedience training. The airport also has a designated pet exercise area located outside the Jeppesen Terminal on Level 2 West, not far from Door 200.
Los Angeles International Airport
Los Angeles International Airport has 11 pet relief areas, with three located before security checkpoints and eight in post-security locations. The indoor relief areas include artificial grass, a fake fire hydrant, fresh water, and waste disposal facilities. The outdoor atrium offers additional space for pets to walk around and stretch their legs.
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport has several pet relief areas, including one on the arrivals level of the International Terminal and a 1,000-square-foot dog park.
Minneapolis-Saint Paul Airport
Terminals 1 and 2 at the Minneapolis-Saint Paul Airport have several pet relief areas, including indoor and outdoor options. Terminal 1 has a dedicated pet space near the baggage claim, and Terminal 2 has a grassy area near the baggage claim and Gate H11. The airport also offers a 24/7 pet boarding facility.
Washington Dulles International Airport
Washington Dulles International Airport has multiple designated service animal and pet relief areas. There are two post-security relief areas located in the concourses, and three pre-security relief areas outside the main terminal. Both indoor and outdoor stations are supplied with waste bags, receptacles, and handwashing facilities.
Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport
Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport has nine relief areas located throughout the airport, with a mix of pre-security and post-security options. All relief areas provide space for drinking water and cleaning up pet waste.
John Wayne Airport, Orange County
John Wayne Airport in Orange County has three Animal Relief Areas located on the Arrival (lower) Level. These relief areas are situated outside Terminals A and C, as well as post-security near Gates 12 and 13. Owners are expected to clean up after their pets using the provided waste disposal bags and receptacles.
Other Airports
While not all airports have official designated pet relief areas, many provide grassy areas that can serve the same purpose. For example, the Charlotte airport has several patches of grass near the large fountain outside the baggage claim. Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport (GSP) and Hartford's Bradley International Airport (BDL) are also mentioned as airports with pet relief areas, although specific details are not provided.
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International airports with pet relief areas
Since May 2009, the US Department of Transportation (DOT) has required all airlines to provide service animal relief areas (SARAs) and escorts to those areas for passengers travelling with service animals. As a result, many airports in the US and beyond have created and expanded animal relief areas that are open to all pets and service animals.
Denver International Airport
Denver International Airport has private restrooms for pets in each of its concourses, in addition to the Jeppesen Terminal. There is also an outdoor, pre-security, fenced pet area on Level 2, beside the Garage West, outside the Jeppesen Terminal.
Washington Dulles International Airport
Washington Dulles International Airport has five designated service animal or pet relief areas. Two are located in post-security locations in the concourses, and three are pre-security, located outside the main terminal. The indoor facilities have artificial grass and a fake fire hydrant, while the outdoor locations are enclosed for security. Both indoor and outdoor stations are supplied with waste bags and receptacles, as well as a sink for handwashing.
Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport
Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport has nine relief areas for pets. Most of these areas are pre-security, with three located post-security. All of the relief areas have space for drinking water and cleaning up pet waste.
Los Angeles International Airport
Los Angeles International Airport has 11 pet relief areas, three of which are located before security checkpoints, and eight in post-security locations. The indoor relief areas have artificial grass, a fake fire hydrant, fresh water, and a waste disposal station. The outdoor atrium offers additional space to walk around.
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport has several pet relief areas, including one on the arrivals level of the International Terminal and a 1,000-square-foot dog park.
Minneapolis-Saint Paul Airport
Minneapolis-Saint Paul Airport has several pet relief areas, including an indoor post-security area with fake grass and a sink for easy cleanup. Terminal 1 has a space dedicated to pets near the baggage claim, and Terminal 2 has a grassy area near the baggage claim and near Gate H11. The airport also has a 24/7 pet boarding facility.
Orlando International Airport
Orlando International Airport has two relief areas for assistance animals only, located on the A side to the east of the building, and on the B side to the west of the building.
Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport
Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport has a number of animal bathroom areas, including four after security.
Fort Lauderdale Hollywood International Airport
Fort Lauderdale Hollywood International Airport has four outdoor pre-security pet relief areas located at each terminal outside the baggage claim on the lower level. There is also an indoor relief area in Terminal 1, but this is for assistance animals only.
LaGuardia Airport
LaGuardia Airport has five pet relief areas. Each terminal has a pet relief area outside the arrivals area, pre-security, and there is a post-security pet relief room accessible from Terminals C and D.
Philadelphia Airport
Philadelphia Airport is known for being very pet-friendly, with numerous pet relief areas or "Pet Ports". There is at least one Pet Port past security in each terminal, though these are limited to assistance animals only.
Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport
Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport has a small enclosure surrounded by a chain-link fence at the side of the parking garage. The area is gravel-lined and has poop bags and a trash can.
Hartford's Bradley International Airport
Hartford's Bradley International Airport has a pet relief area.
Indira Gandhi Airport (DEL)
Indira Gandhi Airport has pet relief areas with waste bags, disposal bins, and cleaning supplies.
Dublin Airport (DUB)
Dublin Airport has an assistance dog relief room located in Terminal 2.
Osaka International Airport (ITAMI)
Osaka International Airport has a dog-specific relief area located in the pick-up and drop-off area of the airport.
Istanbul Airport
Istanbul Airport has pet rooms located in the Departures area after security, upstairs near the IGA Lounge, or you can follow the dog signs.
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Airports with multiple pet relief areas
Since May 2009, the Department of Transportation (DOT) has required all airlines to ensure there are service animal relief areas (SARAs) at airports. Airports have created and expanded animal relief areas that are open to all pets and service animals. Airports that service more than 10,000 passengers a year are required to establish at least one SARA inside each terminal.
Some larger airports have more than one pet relief area, usually one per terminal. Here are some airports with multiple pet relief areas:
Minneapolis-Saint Paul Airport
Terminals 1 and 2 at the Minneapolis-Saint Paul Airport have several pet relief areas, including an indoor post-security area with fake grass and a sink for easy cleanup. Terminal 1 has a space dedicated to pets near the baggage claim and another relief area outside of the Silver Parking Ramp. Terminal 2 has a grassy area near the baggage claim and near Gate H11.
Los Angeles International Airport
Los Angeles International Airport has 11 pet relief areas located indoors and outdoors. Three relief areas are located before security checkpoints, and the other eight are in post-security locations. The indoor relief areas consist of rooms with artificial grass, a fake fire hydrant, fresh water, and a station to dispose of waste.
Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport
Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport has nine relief areas. Three of them are in post-security locations, and the remaining six are pre-security. Dogs of all sizes and breeds are welcome to use the outdoor facilities.
Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport
Greenville, NC's Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport has a small enclosure surrounded by a chain-link fence at the side of the parking garage. There are also grassy areas near the baggage claim.
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport offers several pet relief areas, including one on the arrivals level of the International Terminal and a 1,000-square-foot outdoor fenced dog park.
George Bush Intercontinental Airport
Every terminal at George Bush Intercontinental Airport has at least one animal relief area, with a mix of indoor and outdoor locations.
Indira Gandhi International Airport
Indira Gandhi International Airport in India has pet relief areas with waste bags, disposal bins, and cleaning supplies to ensure hygiene.
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Airports with indoor pet relief areas
Since May 2009, the Department of Transportation (DOT) has required all airlines to provide service animal relief areas (SARAs) and escorts to those relief areas for passengers travelling with service animals. As a result, airports have created and expanded animal relief areas that are open to all pets and service animals. As of August 2016, federal regulations require airports that service more than 10,000 passengers annually to establish at least one SARA inside each terminal.
While some airports have small patches of fake grass in hidden corners of terminals, others have pet parks with real grass, faux fire hydrants, and space to run and play.
Hartsfield-Jackson Airport, Atlanta
Hartsfield-Jackson Airport in Atlanta has a 1,000-square-foot outdoor fenced dog park located outside the Domestic Terminal South. There is also a smaller relief area outside the arrivals area at the International Terminal. There are post-security indoor pet relief areas on every concourse near Gates T7, A10, B33, C19, E14, F7, and D-Midpoint.
LaGuardia Airport, New York
LaGuardia Airport has five pet relief areas. Each terminal has a pre-security pet relief area outside the arrivals area, and there is a post-security pet relief room accessible from Terminal C via an entrance near Gate C12, and from Terminal D near Gate D11.
Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport
Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport has four animal bathroom areas after security. The pre-security bathrooms are found outside the entry doors on the lower level: Terminal E, doors E2 and E38.
Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport
Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport maintains pet and service animal relief areas at both terminals. Terminals 1 and 2 each have one post-security indoor pet area featuring faux grass, a fire hydrant, and a sink. There are also two outdoor areas.
John F. Kennedy Airport, New York
John F. Kennedy Airport has indoor pet relief areas in Terminal 4, between Gates 30 and 32, and in Terminal 5, beside baggage carousel 6. Terminal 5 also has a large open-air post-security patio area opposite Gate 28.
Indira Gandhi Airport, India
Indira Gandhi Airport has pet relief areas with waste bags, disposal bins, and cleaning supplies.
Istanbul Airport, Turkey
Istanbul Airport has pet rooms located in the Departures area after security, upstairs near the IGA Lounge, marked with dog signs.
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Airports with outdoor pet relief areas
Since May 2009, the Department of Transportation (DOT) has required all airlines to provide service animal relief areas (SARAs) at airports, as well as escorts to those relief areas for passengers travelling with service animals. Airports have since created and expanded animal relief areas that are open to all pets and service animals. Most animal and pet relief areas are located outside airport terminals, ranging from basic grassy areas to fenced-in "pet parks" with amenities. As of August 2016, federal regulation requires airports serving more than 10,000 passengers annually to establish at least one SARA inside each terminal.
Los Angeles International Airport
Los Angeles International Airport has 11 pet relief areas, three of which are located before security checkpoints, and the remaining eight in post-security locations. The indoor relief areas consist of rooms with artificial grass, a fake fire hydrant, fresh water, and waste disposal facilities. The outdoor atrium offers additional space for dogs to walk around and stretch their legs.
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport offers several pet relief areas, including one on the arrivals level of the International Terminal and a 1,000-square-foot dog park.
Washington Dulles International Airport
Washington Dulles International Airport has several designated service animal or pet relief areas. There are two relief areas in post-security locations in the concourses for convenience. These indoor facilities have artificial grass and a fake fire hydrant. Three other relief areas are located outside the main terminal before security. The outdoor locations are enclosed for the dog's security and are supplied with waste bags and receptacles, as well as a sink for handwashing.
Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport
Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport has nine relief areas, most of which are pre-security, and three in post-security locations. The relief areas have space for drinking water and cleaning up pet waste, and dogs of all sizes and breeds are welcome.
Minneapolis-Saint Paul Airport
Terminals 1 and 2 at the Minneapolis-Saint Paul Airport have several pet relief areas, including an indoor post-security area with fake grass and a sink for easy cleanup. Terminal 1 has a dedicated space for pets near the baggage claim, and Terminal 2 has a grassy area near the baggage claim and Gate H11. The airport also has a 24/7 pet boarding facility.
Denver International Airport
Denver International Airport has private restrooms for pets in each of its concourses and the Jeppesen Terminal. There is also an on-site resort called Wag Hotels, which offers overnight boarding, doggy daycare, a pet boutique, parking, shuttle service, and premium grooming services.
Other airports with outdoor pet relief areas include Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport, Bradley International Airport, Indira Gandhi Airport, Dublin Airport, Osaka International Airport, and Perth Airport.
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Frequently asked questions
Los Angeles International Airport has 11 pet relief areas, with 3 located before security checkpoints and 8 in post-security locations.
Indira Gandhi Airport (DEL) has pet relief areas with all the necessary amenities, such as waste bags, disposal bins, and cleaning supplies.
Yes, since May 2009, the Department of Transportation (DOT) has required all airlines to provide service animal relief areas (SARAs) at airports. Airports that service more than 10,000 passengers a year must have at least one SARA inside each terminal.
Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport (GSP) in Greenville, NC, has a pet relief area near Door 500 on the second floor.
