One of the most common questions we hear from clients is some version of: "How will my pet be taken care of when I'm not with them?" It's a fair concern. Depending on the routing, pets may spend time at a layover facility between flights or wait at an arrival center while import clearance is processed. The quality of those facilities varies significantly around the world.
Here are four airport facilities PetRelocation works with regularly and trusts to take good care of our clients' pets.
Located at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, the Air France-KLM Animal Hotel is one of the most well-regarded pet transit facilities in Europe. Upon arrival, pets are transferred from the aircraft to the Animal Hotel via climate controlled vehicles. Dogs receive a walking service during their stay, and all animals are given the opportunity to eat, drink, exercise, and rest before continuing their journey.
A veterinarian is on call at all times, and the facility operates 24 hours a day. The Animal Hotel also has its own quarantine station for situations that require it. For pets routing through the Netherlands or using Amsterdam as a European hub, this facility makes the layover as comfortable as a layover can be.
Dubai Kennels and Cattery, known as DKC, is the official animal hotel and handler at Dubai International Airport and serves as the handling partner for Emirates Airlines. The facility has been operating for over 30 years and maintains strong relationships with UAE veterinary authorities, which matters when something unexpected comes up during a transit stay.
PetRelocation has routed many pets through DXB, and the consistent feedback from clients is that their pets were well cared for. The DKC team is experienced at navigating documentation issues and changes in plans quickly, which is exactly what you want in a facility handling international transits.
The Frankfurt Animal Lounge, operated by Lufthansa Cargo, is Europe's largest airport animal facility. At approximately 4,000 square meters, it handles more pets in transit than any other animal lounge on the continent and sees around 12,000 dogs and cats pass through annually.
The facility combines handling, animal coordination, and veterinary services under one roof with around-the-clock staffing. Import, export, and transit areas are physically separated to prevent contact between incoming and outgoing animals, which is an important biosecurity measure that not all facilities maintain. Cats have dedicated quiet zones. There are 39 individual small animal pens for dogs and cats, 18 temperature-controlled climate chambers, and specialized areas for other species.
One feature clients particularly appreciate: owners can arrange to receive photos of their pet at the Animal Lounge during the layover. For a long journey, that kind of update makes a real difference. A personal contact is also available for owners who want a direct update on how their pet is doing.
The ARK at JFK is the only airport-based animal reception and handling facility of its kind in North America. Located in the cargo area at JFK, the 178,000 square-foot facility provides pre and post-travel care for pets, horses, birds, and livestock traveling through New York. It operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
For companion animals, The ARK Pet Oasis offers boarding, exercise, and veterinary services for pets in transit. The facility's veterinary team can also issue USDA-endorsed health certificates with advance notice, which is useful for pets needing documentation updates before continuing an international journey. The ARK also serves as a CDC-approved animal care facility for dogs being imported into the United States under current CDC dog import requirements.
For pets traveling to the United Kingdom, the London Heathrow Animal Reception Centre (HARC) is where your pet will arrive and wait while import clearance is processed. Unlike most of the facilities on this list, HARC is most often a final destination point rather than a transit stop, which means pets may spend more time there while paperwork clears.
All pets arriving at HARC are examined by an on-site veterinarian upon arrival. The facility requires that import paperwork be submitted in advance of the pet's arrival, which means any documentation issues can be identified and corrected before the pet lands rather than causing delays after. The HARC team is experienced with the UK's specific import requirements and communicates clearly with our team throughout the process.
There is also a waiting area at HARC for owners who are present for collection, with seating and basic amenities for what can sometimes be a multi-hour wait during busy periods.
These facilities represent some of the best in the world, but PetRelocation works with trusted partners at airports across the globe. Wherever your pet is traveling, we know which facilities to route through and which to avoid. Get in touch to start planning your pet's move.