The news agency of Brazil’s Chamber of Deputies reported that Bill 1496/23 is currently under consideration. This legislation requires new tender documents, projects, and airport terminal concession contracts to include a clause that anticipates the establishment of restrooms for the physiological needs of dogs and cats.
According to the proposal under review in the Chamber of Deputies, as reported by our affiliated media in Brazil, Aeroin, the PET restroom must have an area with artificial turf and a hose for cleaning, bags for collecting various waste, and a sink for owners to wash their hands.
The author of the proposal, Representative Bruno Ganem (Pode-SP), highlighted that in the United States, the Department of Transportation has established a rule that airports serving more than 10,000 passengers per day must have a service area for pets traveling with their owners.
«In reality, this initiative has greatly facilitated things for passengers traveling with their pets, as they do not need to leave the airport for their animals to do their business«, the project explains.
«Additionally, the canine restroom resolved the issue that arose on long-haul flights, but with short boarding periods. In these cases, the time to take the animal out of the air terminals for them to do their physiological needs was not sufficient«, they added.
The Committees on Environment and Sustainable Development will conclusively analyze the proposal; Transportation and Infrastructure; and Constitution, Justice, and Citizenship.
Facilities in airports for pets and their owners
Airports worldwide have begun to recognize the importance of accommodating pets and their owners. To address the needs of traveling animals, many airports now feature pet relief areas, both inside and outside the terminals.
These spaces are designed to provide a safe and clean environment for pets to take care of their physiological needs and stretch their legs before or after a flight.
In addition to pet relief areas, some airports have taken pet amenities a step further by introducing terminals dedicated exclusively to them.
An example of this is The ARK at New York’s JFK airport, a 178,000 square foot facility that offers a wide range of services for animals, including an overnight resort for pets, a veterinary clinic, and a pet care spa. The terminal also provides specialized care for horses, birds, and other exotic animals, ensuring that the needs of all animal passengers are met.
