JFK Building $48M Luxury Animal Terminal

[orangeblossom]

www.usatoday.com/story/todayinthesky/2015/07/20/nycs-jfk-airport-is-building-luxury-animal-terminal/30405231/





NEW YORK (AP) — Jet-setting stallions and high-flying hounds at New York's Kennedy Airport can look forward to a new luxury terminal that will handle the more than 70,000 animals flying in and out every year.



The ARK at JFK, its name inspired by Noah's biblical vessel, will more than measure up to terminals for humans: Horses and cows will occupy sleek, climate-controlled stalls with showers, and dogs will lounge in hotel suites featuring flat-screen TVs. A special space for penguins will allow them mating privacy.



The ARK is billed as the world's first air terminal for animals.




Set to open next year, the $48 million, 178,000-square-foot (16,500-square-meter) shelter and quarantine facility will take in every kind of animal imaginable — even an occasional sloth or aardvark. From The ARK, they'll head to barns, cages, racetracks, shows and competition venues in the United States and abroad.



Many arriving animals are quarantined for a period of time (for horses, it's normally about three days) to make sure they're not carrying contagious diseases. And The ARK is designed to make their stay as pleasant as possible, with hay-lined stalls for up to 70 horses and 180 head of cattle, plus an aviary and holding pens for goats, pigs and sheep.



For dog owners, The ARK will offer a 20,000-square-foot (1,860-square-meter) luxury "resort" run by the company Paradise 4 Paws, complete with bone-shaped splashing pools, massage therapy and "pawdicures with colored nail pawlish." Dogs can watch flat-screen TVs and their owners can check in on them via webcam.




Cats will have their own trees to climb. And all animals will have access to a 24-hour clinic run by Cornell University's veterinary college.



Even animals that don't need to be quarantined — a huge dog that can't fit in the cabin and has to travel as cargo, for example — will be held at the facility until departure or pickup by its owner.



"A lot of our design making is in collaboration with veterinarians and consultants to help minimize the amount of stress placed on the animal," said Cliff Bollmann, a leading airport architect working on The ARK for the San Francisco-based architecture firm Gensler.



Kennedy receives the bulk of animals entering the United States, but there are similar facilities near airports in Chicago, Los Angeles and Miami. Until Kennedy's ARK opens, animals in transit will continue to be handled at the airport's aging Vetport, built in the 1950s.






Lachlan Oldaker, an Oklahoma-based equine specialist and key member of the architectural team, called The ARK "an enormous leap forward."



"The design allows planes to taxi directly to the building, so horses can be transported in a seamless fashion that reduces stress," she said.



The ARK is being built on the site of an unused cargo terminal that has been demolished. ARK Development, an affiliate of the Madison Avenue real estate company Racebrook Capital, has signed a 32-year lease for the airport property with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey agency that runs Kennedy.




When completed, the facility is subject to approval by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Animals will be charged fees — still being determined depending on services — that will help fund the terminal. High-end dog "suites" could top $100 per night.



Transporting animals by air is not aimed at low-income owners. A flight to London for a dog can cost about $1,000, plus a crate, airport fees and vet certifications. And moving a horse can add up to at least $10,000.



The ARK's designers have had to meet challenges not found in other architectural projects — for instance, figuring out how to dispose of animal waste. They came up with the idea of a "poo chute," an angled floor from which manure slides into a container.



The equine wing is a welcome improvement to international show jumper and organizer Derek Braun.



Horses must currently be driven to a quarantine facility in Newburgh, about 80 miles (130 kilometers) north of Kennedy. The ARK has an in-house quarantine.



"I personally, as well as competitors for my shows, ship so many horses from Europe each year that having the peace of mind that one step of the travel process will be eliminated is a big relief because it eliminates part of the risk of injury," he said.

[eponinepontmercy]

This is a service I didn't realize was necessary. I mean, I knew people shipped dogs and horses, but I hadn't considered how often penguins travel, let alone that they would need special accommodations so they can get some.

[anonymous]

this will be the nicest part of JFK, for sure. that airport is a mess.

[orangeblossom]

Jul 20, 2015 15:58:05 GMT -5 @dontcallmeshirley1 said:

Can someone who is a dog person tell me why dogs would need flat screen tvs?

Otherwise...sure, if there is a need, I suppose.

Some dogs like TV, for the ambient noise, I guess.  I'm not being flip either.  Several of the boarding places we've taken our dog to, have TVs in the luxury suites.

There's even a TV channel devoted to dogs, that shows dogs playing, barking, etc.  I'm not gonna lie, at the height of my dog's separation anxiety, I was willing to try anything, and almost signed up for the free trial. 

My dog couldn't care less about tv or having a radio on.  If he's upset and anxious, those things don't help him.

[meltoine]

Jul 20, 2015 15:52:56 GMT -5 eponinepontmercy said:

This is a service I didn't realize was necessary. I mean, I knew people shipped dogs and horses, but I hadn't considered how often penguins travel, let alone that they would need special accommodations so they can get some.

When I moved to Egypt, my dog was bunked in cargo next to a goat. 

[heyjude]

I have a coworker that sends her dog to doggy daycare everyday. It sounds nicer than most daycares for babies.

:,(

[sfy]

[LoveTrains]

Jul 20, 2015 16:31:10 GMT -5 sfy said:

Don't hate on the animals!!

Also,this does seem necessary after the staff at JFK lost some pets last year....

[elleblue]

I'd rather better flying accommodations were made, living things shouldn't be treated as cargo. Obviously I realize that airlines =/= airports, I just wish there were better options available for those who travel with their pets.

[sfy]

Jul 20, 2015 16:34:35 GMT -5 LoveTrains said:

Jul 20, 2015 16:31:10 GMT -5 sfy said:

Don't hate on the animals!!

Also,this does seem necessary after the staff at JFK lost some pets last year....

Lol come on...this feels like something I'd read about happening in Dubai and shake my head about, tbh.  Pawdicures?  I quit.

[orangeblossom]

Jul 20, 2015 16:38:31 GMT -5 sfy said:

Jul 20, 2015 16:34:35 GMT -5 LoveTrains said:

Don't hate on the animals!!

Also,this does seem necessary after the staff at JFK lost some pets last year....

Lol come on...this feels like something I'd read about happening in Dubai and shake my head about, tbh.  Pawdicures?  I quit.

You would not believe the stuff that is out there for dogs.  Most grooming places offer pawdicures for dogs.

The first time DH and I went into a Petsmart, it was like sensory overload.  There is so much stuff for pets.

[sfy]

Jul 20, 2015 16:41:49 GMT -5 orangeblossom said:

Jul 20, 2015 16:38:31 GMT -5 sfy said:

Lol come on...this feels like something I'd read about happening in Dubai and shake my head about, tbh.  Pawdicures?  I quit.

You would not believe the stuff that is out there for dogs.  Most grooming places offer pawdicures for dogs.

The first time DH and I went into a Petsmart, it was like sensory overload.  There is so much stuff for pets.

Am I to understand you were familiar with this term prior to reading this article?

[orangeblossom]

Jul 20, 2015 16:47:25 GMT -5 sfy said:

Jul 20, 2015 16:41:49 GMT -5 orangeblossom said:

You would not believe the stuff that is out there for dogs.  Most grooming places offer pawdicures for dogs.

The first time DH and I went into a Petsmart, it was like sensory overload.  There is so much stuff for pets.

Am I to understand you were familiar with this term prior to reading this article?

Oh my goodness, your GIFs are cracking me up.

Yes, I am familiar with the term.  No, I have never subjected my dog to a pawdicure.  They also do hair chalking and dog "tatoos".  

Shall I provide you with some examples?!

[sfy]

Jul 20, 2015 16:57:08 GMT -5 orangeblossom said:

Jul 20, 2015 16:47:25 GMT -5 sfy said:

Am I to understand you were familiar with this term prior to reading this article?

Oh my goodness, your GIFs are cracking me up.

Yes, I am familiar with the term.  No, I have never subjected my dog to a pawdicure.  They also do hair chalking and dog "tatoos".  

Shall I provide you with some examples?!

I don't know if my brain can take it...but okay, I guess so?

[elleblue]

sfy - we dremmel our dog's nails and I call it giving them a pet-icure. lol No nail polish or anything, just routine maintenance. And a silly name for it.

[orangeblossom]

Jul 20, 2015 17:00:00 GMT -5 sfy said:

Jul 20, 2015 16:57:08 GMT -5 orangeblossom said:

Oh my goodness, your GIFs are cracking me up.

Yes, I am familiar with the term.  No, I have never subjected my dog to a pawdicure.  They also do hair chalking and dog "tatoos".  

Shall I provide you with some examples?!

I don't know if my brain can take it...but okay, I guess so?

[orangeblossom]

Jul 20, 2015 17:05:40 GMT -5 elleblue said:

sfy - we dremmel our dog's nails and I call it giving them a pet-icure. lol No nail polish or anything, just routine maintenance. And a silly name for it.

You know what, sfy, she's right, I forgot all about just a basic nail clipping/dremmel.  If that's the case, then yes, my dog has had a "pawdicure", though the place we take him too, refers to it as a pedicure.

Pawdicure is reserved for putting dog nail polish on dogs.  Yes, they sell nail polish just for dogs.  In this article, pawdicure, is probably just referring to normal nail maintenance, not the fancy nail polish.

[meshaliuknits]

That poodle is in Jem's band isn't she?

[sfy]

elleblue, orangeblossom, nail trimming has to happen and a cutesy name is fun. Dog nail polish and highlights?




You guys know that's not right.  The U.S. is creeping me out lol.

[orangeblossom]

Jul 20, 2015 17:06:35 GMT -5 mofongo said:

We were in Porland last week, and had one of our dogs with us, he spent a day here. lol
www.sniffdoghotel.com

That looks very nice!  I'd be happy with those accommodations, if I was a dog.

[elleblue]

Jul 20, 2015 17:29:20 GMT -5 sfy said:

elleblue, orangeblossom, nail trimming has to happen and a cutesy name is fun. Dog nail polish and highlights?




You guys know that's not right.  The U.S. is creeping me out lol.

Lol, I agree with you there. Of course my dogs wear sweaters in the winter, but they'd freeze if they didn't, so it's not a pampering thing. I'll never forget my aunt's reaction when she first saw them, she exclaimed "are those dogs wearing clothes?!", lol forever. 

[LoveTrains]

Jul 20, 2015 16:47:25 GMT -5 sfy said:

Jul 20, 2015 16:41:49 GMT -5 orangeblossom said:

You would not believe the stuff that is out there for dogs.  Most grooming places offer pawdicures for dogs.

The first time DH and I went into a Petsmart, it was like sensory overload.  There is so much stuff for pets.

Am I to understand you were familiar with this term prior to reading this article?

So my H and I do home visits for our local pug rescue. We go to the homes of the applicants before they are approved to get a pug.

We go to this one house, and they already have a pug. Her nails are all painted as she just had a pawdicure that day. The couple also had about one million outfits for this pug. Then I am pretty sure they were swingers and wanted me and H to have some wine and stay. It got awkward realllll fast. 

[ttt]

It is SO unfair that cat people get the crazy cat lady stereotype when dog people are clearly the insane ones.

[Velar Fricative]

Don't mind me, I'm just here for the gifs.

Also, can someone make LGA look anywhere near this nice?

[sfy]

Jul 20, 2015 19:14:15 GMT -5 LoveTrains said:

Jul 20, 2015 16:47:25 GMT -5 sfy said:

Am I to understand you were familiar with this term prior to reading this article?

So my H and I do home visits for our local pug rescue. We go to the homes of the applicants before they are approved to get a pug.

We go to this one house, and they already have a pug. Her nails are all painted as she just had a pawdicure that day. The couple also had about one million outfits for this pug. Then I am pretty sure they were swingers and wanted me and H to have some wine and stay. It got awkward realllll fast. 

Moral to the story: people with pawdicured pups are not to be trusted!

[ttt]

Moisturizing paw rub? GTFO

[ttt]

I am just imagining trying to give a cat a "moisturizing paw rub" LOLOLOL

[ringstrue]

Idk these things always make me worry about disease/germ management. I wanna know how they clean for kennel cough.

[sfy]

Jul 20, 2015 20:36:23 GMT -5 mofongo said:

Jul 20, 2015 20:23:11 GMT -5 sfy said:

Moral to the story: people with pawdicured pups are not to be trusted!

From the sniff hotel:
PAWDICURE
(Pick any two) Nail trim, nail polish, pad trim or moisturizing paw rub.

And my personal favorite:
PENTHOUSE $75

70 square feet
natural light with city views
individual climate control
premium bed with luxury bedding
flat screen TV featuring DOGTV content
private webcam
soft-padded floors that are easy on paws
free daycare (or) two group-play sessions
complimentary bubble bath
potty breaks


And this:
City Walk $12
Your pup will enjoy a walk with a Sniff team member around our beautiful neighborhood. They'll experience sights, sounds and plenty of smells while getting great exercise.

This is where I resist the urge to ask what the heck DOGTV is and just add you to the "not to be trusted" list.

[cohmom]

Places like this scream infectious disease incubator to me. Can't wait to see what stains of recombinant flu emerge. I am a buzz kill.