The horses, VIP passengers
More than 53 million people passed through the JFK airport in New York in 2014. Everyone, so pleased, if they had time they could try one of the favorite hamburgers of New Yorkers, the one from the ** Shake Shack **, or make a Express manicure, get a massage, have a glass of wine... More than 70,000 animals passed through JFK that year as well. and, although some even have to spend some time in quarantine there to control contagious diseases, they did not enjoy so many comforts. But this has radically changed.
Since this past week, the largest airport in New York has a new terminal only for animals. Call The Ark at the JFK , like Noah's ark, is the first of its kind in the world, and it is much more than a simple veterinary shelter: it is a luxury resort designed for all kinds of critters. The Ark is a project of 65 million dollars, which will occupy an old abandoned cargo terminal, with more than 16,000 square meters of surface and with direct access to the planes. There will be room in it for 70 horses and 180 head of cattle , and they will also see to it, of course, that the transport of all types of animals is carried out correctly and as traumatic as possible.
Horses and cows, for example, will each have their own separate stable with showers and room to spread out. “The design allows planes to arrive directly at the new terminal, so that the horses can be transported without interruption and thus they do not suffer stress”, say the equine specialists who have worked in the new building.
Although in reality the guests with true VIP treatment of the new terminal are the dogs. They are man's best friends for a reason, at home and on the go. In their 1,800-square-meter luxury resort, the animals have a bone-shaped pool, therapeutic massages, access to the spa and even the possibility of getting canine tattoos or the pawdicure (patadicura) “with colored enamels”. In addition, their suites have plasma televisions, high-end beds, a camera so that their owners can see them at any time and a "good night" service, with workers who tuck them in. This space is designed both for possible quarantine seasons, and for large dogs that do not fit in a carrier and can stay there until boarding time.
The cats , for their part, will not have a bad time either, since they will have their own bungalows and exclusive trees and climbing platforms for them. But those who will make the best use of the hours in the animal terminal will be the penguins (if many penguins pass through New York), because they will have a special place for their mating. You know how romantic they are. And faithful to their partner. And effusive, it seems. Everyone, of course, will have access to a 24-hour veterinary clinic.
Here they will welcome your best friend
Creating a space for so many animals came with certain challenges, for example the design of the 'toilets', that is: how to get rid of so much shit**. They have called the solution they found the “poo chute” (the poop ramp) and it consists of a sloped floor that will drop waste directly into a container. Smart and hygienic.
The dog suites are about 100 euros per night, a ridiculous price for the welfare of your animal - while you squirm in the chairs of the human terminal - comparable to any other dog hotel in New York. But, above all, it is an affordable price considering what it can cost to travel with your animal around the world. It can cost up to 900 euros to take your dog from London to New York, Not counting airport taxes and veterinary certificates. Almost 10,000 if you want to travel with your horse. I can't imagine what the trip of your penguins can cost. But hey, if you bring them to New York, at least they can mate in peace before they ship.
This is what the new terminal looks like from the outside
*This article was originally published on August 4, 2015, and has been updated on February 19, 2017.