The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey has unleashed plans for a new, world-class animal handling facility at JFK airport. The center, aptly named ARK, will offer a state-of-the-art veterinary hospital, animal daycare services and more efficient ways to transport animals worldwide. Costing approximately $32 millon and covering 172,000 square feet, this will be a larger and more comprehensive facility than those at the Los Angeles and Miami airports.

Around 70,000 domestic and wild animals pass through JFK each year, and ARK will be able to provide them with expanded services, including a three-day equine quarantine area, dog and cat kenneling and grooming services, an aviary, lawn space for exercising animals and a veterinary hospital and rehabilitation center for horses and other large animals. The facility is scheduled to open by the end of this year and negotiations are underway with Cornell University’s veterinary school to serve as a consultant on the project and the operator of the large animal hospital.

“While most of our airport passengers walk on two legs, this new center will serve the important travel needs of our four-legged and winged friends, while helping to create regional jobs and significant revenue for the Port Authority,’’ said agency Executive Director Pat Foye. “This is another example of agency staff seeking new ways to meet niche markets and maintaining a leadership role in the aviation industry.”

As pet travel enthusiasts and advocates, we here at GoPetFriendly.com were glad to see Executive Director Foye recognize the pet travel market and support a major investment that will benefit the animals and make traveling more convenient for pet owners. From the beginning we’ve held the belief that if people who travel with their pets became an influential market force … more businesses would be persuaded to “GoPetFriendly” … which would make it easier for people to travel with their pets!  It looks like this:

Around and around we go … and we couldn’t be more thrilled. There’s no denying that pet travel is on the rise and with new facilities like ARK underway, it appears the sky’s the limit for pet travelers!

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