JFK Airport’s luxury pet terminal, the Ark, has arrived

JFK Airport is due to get a plethora of enhancements in the next few years as part of a larger $10 billion renovation plan, but at least one upgrade—a very cute one, at that—is being rolled out. The Ark at JFK, the airport’s much-ballyhooed luxury pet terminal, is rolling out some of its features today: the Equine & Livestock Export Center and Aviary In-Transit Quarantine, along with the “Pet Oasis,” make their debut today.

While the first two spaces have very specific purposes—the former is for horses and other livestock making their way through the airport, and the latter is for birds that need a rest stop while traveling through the country—the Pet Oasis is intended as more of an all-purpose animal wellness center.

The center offers veterinary care and basic services (offering information on travel requirements for pets, customs clearances and quarantines, making sure animals get on the right flights, etc.), along with things like micro-chipping, check-ups when animals arrive at JFK, and “premium service individual animal reports available including photograph and information on activity.” (Cool!)

These three spaces are merely Phase 1 of the Ark (yes, as in Noah’s); the second phase, expected to open sometime in the next few months, will include a grooming area and a full import/export center for horses. The third and final phase, due to open by the summer, will include “a full veterinary clinic, a veterinary blood laboratory, and pet boarding and grooming facility,” according to a release.

When it’s fully up and running, the 178,000-square-foot facility will serve as a stopover for animals traveling to and from the airport, with all manner of services—from the mundane (the aforementioned veterinary care, kennels for cats and dogs) to the sublimely silly (a “poop chute” for livestock, a cat activity jungle, a special resort for dogs, you get the idea).

But for now, pet owners who have to bring their beloved furry friends to the airport can rest (somewhat) easier knowing they’re in good hands.

And here are some renderings of the facilities that have yet to open:

Watch: The historic TWA Flight Center at JFK Airport