Navigating SFO’s Pet Relief Areas with Ease
Travelling with pets or service animals during a trip may cause tension; however, the SFO’s Pet Relief Areas are designed to make the trip more comfortable and easy. These spaces, which are created for the convenience and accessibility of all, allow the animal to be able to take a rest in a very short time before, between, or after flights. If you are moving through the terminals with a service dog, carrying a pet on a flight, or just preparing ahead, SFO has some areas that are specially designed for the comfort of pets and can help you keep the travel smooth. Let’s see where to find them and what to expect.
Pet Relief Areas At SFO – An Overview
SFO allows the easy transport of pets and service animals through the airport with its various, thoughtfully planned pet relief areas spread out through the terminal. In the case of AirTrain, service animals are permitted to board it along with you, but pets have to be kept in the kennel inside the airport terminals.
In case you are traveling with a pet, do not forget to confirm with your airline beforehand about necessary health documents, the sizes of the kennels, and any restrictions on your travel.
Where Do You Find Pet Relief Areas At SFO?
You will find pet relief areas at different locations across SFO. There are outdoor as well as indoor pet relief areas. This table will help you understand the pet relief spots at SFO better:
| Terminal | Location | Pet Relief Are Type (Indoor or Outdoor?) | Map Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Harvey Milk Terminal 1 | Courtyard 2; Arrivals/baggage claim level | Outdoor | – |
| Terminal 2 | Courtyard 2; Arrivals/baggage claim level | Outdoor | – |
| Terminal 3 | Close to Courtyard 4; Arrivals/ baggage claim level | Outdoor | – |
| International Terminal | A Gates; post security | Indoor | https://www.flysfo.com/maps/interactive-maps?destination=61370 |
| International Terminal | G gates; post security | Indoor | – |
| Terminal 1 | B Gates; post security | Indoor | https://www.flysfo.com/maps/interactive-maps?destination=91669 |
| Terminal 1 | C Gates near gate C 5 post security | Indoor | – |
| Terminal 2 | D gates post security | Indoor | – |
| Terminal 3 | F gates at the entrance of gates F 11 to F22, post security | Indoor | https://www.flysfo.com/maps/interactive-maps?destination=24380 |
Note: To reach the outdoor terminals you should follow the painted paw-prints at the arrival level terminal near the curbside walkaways.
Overhead signage at the departure level will help you reach the indoor terminal.
What Does the Pet Relief Areas Provide?
The SFO pet relief areas are available at any time and are equipped with necessary items like drinking water bowls, garbage disposal stations, and mutt-mitt dispensers. Every area is inseparable, has trees and shrubs, and is accessible to people in wheelchairs; thus, a clean and safe environment for animals in transit is ensured. The animal pet relief areas are open all-day-round for the convenience of the passengers.
A Few Important Facts to Remember When Travelling with Pets Online
- Escalators and moving walkways are not safe for animals. To avoid accidental injuries, make sure to carry your pet, keep them secured in their carrier, or walk them safely on the ground. If you want to change floors, take the elevator instead of the escalator.
- When you and your pet are travelling on the same flight, the latter will be delivered to the baggage claim area. If the pet is being separately shipped, you must contact the respective airline for the location of their cargo office.
- If you are travelling to a foreign land with your pet, you have to get in touch with the USDA (U.S. Department of Agriculture) at 650.821.8732.
- When travelling with smaller animals, and/or service dogs, you may contact TSA to get a detailed outline about the security checks.
- Only service animals can get on the AirTrain, while leashed animals may access the pet relief zones and other locations at the airport.
Conclusion
It can be pretty stressful to navigate through an airport with your pet; however, if you know where the SFO Pet relief are, the trip becomes a lot simpler. The San Francisco International Airport has created excellent spaces both inside and outside for the pets to keep them comfortable, calm, and cared for during the whole transport process. You can also explore the airport map to navigate to the pet relief area. By having access to these facilities, the trip involving pets at SFO will be much easier and without any concerns.
FAQs
Both pre-security and post-security pet relief areas are available at SFO, thus giving the travelers an option depending on when their pets need a break.
Airport facilities at SFO have both indoor and outdoor pet relief areas so pets can relieve themselves comfortably, no matter the weather.
Yes. The indoor relief areas have been provided with waste bags, trash bins, and artificial turf with built-in drainage in order to maintain cleanliness.
Certainly. There are various pet relief areas to help the pets, as well as service animals, travelling through the airport.