Dog Jaunt

These are our reviews of the airport pet relief areas we have been to. Getting out to them, achieving your dog’s goals and returning to your departure gate will take at least an hour, unless you’re at a tiny airport like Long Beach, or unless you’re at one of the rare airports that have an indoor pet relief area inside the security cordon (e.g., Seattle).

Remember to empty any water bottles you had with you on your first flight before returning through security. And — need it be said? — pick up your dog’s poop! Some airports provide poop bags, but you should have one of those rolls of bags in your purse or pocket, and in a pocket of your airplane carrier bag.

Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT)

The Charlotte airport doesn’t have an official pet relief area, but it does have several great patches of grass near the large fountain outside baggage claim. The airport itself is stretched out in a line, so getting anywhere takes time, but finding the fountain is straightforward. Because it is not an official relief area, there are no bags provided. There was a fair amount of poop on the ground, especially in the grassy areas surrounding the fountain. Walking away from the terminal, there were additional grassy areas that were less used and less peopled (the fountain is a popular spot). When we were there in March, the pear trees were blooming, it was warm, and North Carolina seemed like a piece of heaven.

Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD)

Columbus’ Port Columbus International Airport (CMH)

Denver International Airport (DEN)

Here is what the Denver International Airport site says about its pet relief area: “DIA has one designated pet-exercise area located outside Jeppesen Terminal on Level 2 West, not far from Door 200.”

DEN pet relief area

We visited this spot in March 2009, and it was grim. First, it’s hard to find, but after another visit in June, I’ve learned the secret. Follow the signs to the “Terminal West” side of the baggage claim level. Walk to Door 500 and take the elevator down to the 2nd floor (if you go down to the 2nd floor first, you’ll shlep through a lot of parking lot). The pet relief area is a small enclosure surrounded by a chain-link fence at the side of the parking garage. The area is small and gravel-lined. There are poop bags and there is a trash can. There is only indirect light, since the enclosure is tucked under a formidable staircase structure. The gate closes poorly, and a gap at the bottom is wide enough to allow a small, motivated dog to escape.

We soon opted to escape and walked along a sidewalk and then a shallow ditch flanking the parking garage to an open hillside with plenty of grass and scrub. I tried to find another alternative at the baggage claim level, but there wasn’t a scrap of grass to be found.

John F. Kennedy Airport (JFK) — Terminal 5

Las Vegas’ McCarran International Airport (LAS)

LGB pet relief area

Long Beach Airport (LGB)

While there is no official pet relief area at this adorable airport, it’s so small that you can rapidly exit and find a patch of greenery outside the baggage claim area. My favorite is the bit of lawn under the flagpoles, pictured at right. There is a poop bag dispenser at this location, and another near the south crosswalk by the outside snack shack (look for the phone booths — the bag dispenser is next to them).

Memphis International Airport (MEM)

Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP)

Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX)

San Diego International Airport (SAN)

We were at SAN in January 2009, and its pet relief area is the nicest we’ve been to so far. It is easy to locate (between Terminal 1 and Terminal 2) and not too far away. It is fenced, but does not have a gate. There is a bench for humans and grass (or excellent imitation grass) for the dogs. There is a trash can and a roll of bags. It is quite remarkably pleasant, and I wish there were more pet relief areas like it.

San Francisco International Airport (SFO)

Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA)

Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) — indoor pet relief area

Tampa International Airport (TPA)

Other information

Alaska/Horizon has a terrific list of pet relief areas for the airports it services. The Pet Friendly Travel site has a helpful list of “pet friendly” U.S. airports, with a short description of what kinds of pet relief facilities to expect. PetFlight.com provides a quick reference list of pet relief areas, and ocdogfriendly.com mentions a few additional airports in another useful list.