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Global Pet Relocation Hubs & Airport Animal Facilities
Behind every international pet move, there’s an animal-handling facility working quietly at the connecting airport — caring for pets during layovers, running border health checks, and keeping cargo moving safely. Here’s a look at the major hubs your pet may pass through.
When a pet’s move includes a connection, they don’t just sit on a cargo cart between flights. Major hubs route live animals through dedicated, climate-controlled facilities built specifically for this purpose — some run by the airport authority, others by the airline itself. Knowing which hub your pet will pass through helps you understand layover timing, documentation checkpoints, and seasonal heat restrictions before you book.
What each hub actually does
Not every facility performs the same role. Some are purely layover care — feeding, walking, clean bedding during a connection. Others are the official government checkpoint where your pet's paperwork gets inspected before entry. Several are both.
North America
The ARK at JFK
New York (JFK) — 178,000 sq ft, opened 2017
North America’s only cargo terminal built specifically for animals — a Pet Oasis for dogs and cats, an Equine and Livestock Export Center, and an Aviary section, with USDA oversight and veterinary support on site.
Los Angeles International
LAX — Across The Pond Pets’ home hub
One of the busiest USDA-approved ports for international pet import into the US, including CDC-regulated dog entries from high-risk rabies countries. It’s also our home base — we coordinate directly with airline cargo counters and USDA staff here for outbound and inbound moves.
Europe
Lufthansa Cargo Animal Lounge
Frankfurt (FRA) — ~4,000 m², Europe’s largest
Combines handling, coordination, and veterinary care under one roof, with structurally separated import, export, and transit zones so animals from different origins never cross paths. Includes 39 small-animal stalls for dogs and cats and temperature-adjustable climate chambers.
Air France-KLM-Martinair Animal Hotel
Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS) — airline-operated, 24 hours
The only facility of its kind operated directly by an airline group. Staff feed, water, and walk dogs, and clean crates during KLM Cargo layovers over roughly two hours — and handle the official EU border veterinary inspection for pets continuing on to EU destinations, meaning that check happens here rather than at your pet’s final airport.
Heathrow Animal Reception Centre
London Heathrow (LHR) — serving since 1977
Nearly every pet entering the UK through Heathrow is processed at HARC, run by the City of London Corporation, or the Animal Aircare Facility (AAC), which handles British Airways and IAG Cargo pets. Either way, pets go through a vet check, microchip scan, and customs clearance before release — a process that commonly takes several hours. Which facility applies depends on the airline, not the owner.
Middle East
Qatar Airways Cargo Animal Centre
Doha, Hamad International (DOH) — 5,260 m², opened 2024
The largest live-animal handling center in the world — 140 dog kennels, 40 cat kennels, and 24 horse stalls split across separate airflow zones, plus dedicated rooms for birds, fish, and reptiles. Pets with layovers over three hours are moved here for exercise, fresh water, and clean bedding rather than waiting in a crate on the tarmac.
Quick Reference: Hub Comparison
A high-level snapshot. Facility procedures and hours can change — always confirm current transit details with your relocation coordinator.
| Facility | Airport | Operated By | Size | Primary Role |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The ARK at JFK | New York (JFK) | Private (ARK Development) | 178,000 sq ft | Layover care, USDA inspection |
| Los Angeles International | Los Angeles (LAX) | Airport / USDA | — | USDA & CDC import port |
| Lufthansa Cargo Animal Lounge | Frankfurt (FRA) | Lufthansa Cargo | ~4,000 m² | Layover care |
| AF-KLM-Martinair Animal Hotel | Amsterdam (AMS) | Air France-KLM-Martinair | — | Layover care, EU border check |
| Heathrow Animal Reception Centre | London (LHR) | City of London Corporation | — | UK border inspection |
| Qatar Airways Cargo Animal Centre | Doha (DOH) | Qatar Airways Cargo | 5,260 m² | Layover care |
Before You Book a Connecting Route, Confirm This
Regardless of which hub your pet routes through, these points decide whether the connection goes smoothly.
Minimum pet-safe connection time
A pet connection generally needs more handling time than the passenger minimum connection time allows.
Whether the hub also does border inspection
Some hubs, like Amsterdam, complete the destination country's entry check during the layover itself.
Seasonal temperature embargoes
Gulf and other hot-climate hubs enforce strict heat restrictions during summer months.
Whether pets can be visited during layover
Most hubs are secure cargo-side facilities and don't allow owner visits during transit.
Cabin vs. hold vs. cargo routing
Only pets traveling as manifest cargo or accompanied baggage in the hold pass through these facilities.
Photo or status updates
Some hubs offer photo updates during a layover — worth asking your airline or coordinator about.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does my pet stay overnight at these facilities?
Can I visit my pet at one of these hub facilities?
Does which hub my pet passes through affect cost?
Are these hubs relevant if my pet flies in the cabin, not cargo?
Planning a Move Through One of These Hubs?
We coordinate directly with airline cargo teams and destination-country authorities to keep your pet’s connection smooth — wherever it routes through.
Get a Free QuoteFacility procedures, hours, and layover thresholds are set independently by each airport and airline and can change. This guide is a general reference, compiled from airline- and airport-published facility data; always confirm current transit procedures with your relocation coordinator before booking.
