If you're traveling with pets out of New York's John F. Kennedy Airport anytime soon, your four-legged friends will now be able to relieve themselves prior to take off.  American Airlines has installed a "Pet Relief Area" for pets to relieve themselves prior to their big trip.

This makes JFK the second airport in the New York area to accomodate pets.  Last year, Continental Airlines opened an exclusive pet hotel at Newark Airprort.

The new Pet Relief Area is a 30- by 50-foot enclosure, including a 1,000-square-foot patch of natural grass. It has a five-foot-wide entrance gate, a walkway and two benches. A "Mutt Mitt" dispenser is provided, together with a trash barrel at the gate for waste disposal. An added touch:  a bright red fire hydrant stands at the far end of the grassy area.

American Airlines Pet Relief Area at JFK Airport

American Airlines allows only cats and dogs on their flights and pets are accepted either in cabin or as checked baggage (underneath the plane).  Pets traveling as checked baggage are subject to AA's temperature and breed restrictions.  For full details on the airline's policy for pasengers traveling with pets, see the "Traveling with Pets" page on the American Airlines website.

Update:  One of our Twitter followers, @FlyAArmy who is a flight attendant, let us know that there is also a Pet Relief area at New York's La Guardia.  Great news for New York area travelers with pets!