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New York’s John F. Kennedy (JFK) International Airport has opened a new indoor pet relief area exclusively for dogs and other animals.

The 70ft2 post-security pet relief area was designed by the JFK International Air Terminal (JFKIAT), the operator of Terminal Four of JFK Airport, and the US Guide Dog Foundation.

Guide Dog Foundation chief executive officer Well Jones said: "By working collaboratively, we are ensuring that people who travel with assistance dogs have a more enjoyable and less stressful travel experience."

The facility is designed with decorative paw prints to avoid confusion with other bathrooms for passengers.

The bathroom floor is covered with artificial green turf, and is also equipped with a red fire hydrant, waste bags for clean ups and a sink.

"We are ensuring that people who travel with assistance dogs have a more enjoyable and less stressful travel experience."

JFKIAT president and chief executive officer Gert-Jan de Graaff was quoted by 10 News as saying: "We recognise the growing presence of animals in our terminal, and the significant increase in passengers travelling with pets, and we wanted to provide owners with a convenient location to relieve their animals without having to exit the terminal."

JFK Airport also has an outdoor pet relief area at JetBlue’s outdoor terrace, which was opened at Terminal Five last July.

According to a regulation issued by the US Department of Transportation, all airport terminals that handle more than 10,000 passengers every day must build a post-security pet relief area by August.

Airports that have added the areas include Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, Washington Dulles International Airport, Dallas / Fort Worth International Airport and Chicago O’Hare International Airport.


Image: Pet relief area open in Terminal Four of JFK Airport. Photo: courtesy of Mike Powell.