Airport considers boarding facility for pets

Article by: Tim Harlow , Star Tribune
Updated: October 17, 2007 - 2:13 PM

0
comments
resize text
print
buy reprints

Tweet
share

email
Email share

your name

your email

recipients email

+ add a comment add a comment

Plans for a pet grooming and boarding facility at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport moved one step closer to reality Monday when the Metropolitan Airports Commission voted to accept proposals from vendors interested in providing the service.

If all goes well, the airport could be one of a handful in the nation to offer the flying public a place to kennel their pets while they are away, said Pat Hogan, an airport spokesman.

The service offering day care, overnight boarding, and washing and grooming for dogs and cats would begin in March if a suitable vendor is found. A committee will accept proposals through the first week of December, then make a recommendation to airports commission in January, Hogan said.

"It is a great customer service," said Hogan, who noted that Americans spend $38 billion a year on pet care annually. "For a lot of people who travel for work, they ask what do I do with my pet while I am away? This will be very convenient for them."

The kennel will operate 24 hours a day in a now vacant building on 28th Avenue on the northern end of the airport. Customers will board shuttles which will take them to and from the kennel and the terminals and parking garages.

The idea for a pet boarding facility at Minneapolis-St. Paul International came up after similar facilities opened at airports in Denver, San Diego and New Orleans.

Tim Harlow • harlow@startribune.com