THE ARK AT JFK IS NOT A BOAT ALTHOUGH ANIMALS ARE INVOLVED

JFK is now home to the world’s first privately-owned animal reception terminal and quarantine facility at New York's John F. Kennedy known as the ARK (Animal Reception at Kennedy).  Approved by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey as JFK’s exclusive provider, the ARK is a comprehensive facility that includes animal handling services and kennel accommodations, 3- and 7-day equine import quarantine and equine export center, veterinary medicine, and a bonded isolation area for avian and other exotic animals.

To date, ARK at JFK has welcomed a diverse variety of animals for their pre-, post or in-transit care and accommodation including horses, cats, dogs, turtles, baby goats, rabbits, birds, race pigeons, a pot-bellied pig, an agouti rat, snakes, scorpions, ferrets, capybaras (very large rats), porcupines, sloths and many others. 

“All horses that come through JFK must be processed here,” said Managing Director Elizabeth Schuette. "They get washed and have a veterinarian inspection where sometimes blood is taken. When the blood is cleared they are allow to continue on. We have 48 separate quarantine stalls in case there is an issue.”

“On a personal level where someone is taking their own animal, the animal can be boarded here in case there is a heat restriction or if the plane is canceled or delayed.  As an import the animal may not have the proper documentations to be admitted into the United States. There have been many that have been denied and sent back to their original country.” 

“There are thousands of dogs imported such as rescues and training dogs. With those that are brought on the plane that include service dogs.  One problem with when people check their dog is in regard to size.  If you are traveling out of the United States and then have to be checked like a piece of luggage, they don’t investigate the arrival requirements of a particular country, don’t have the proper papers and have to be sent back.”  

Mismatches in time and temperature restriction may warrant that the passenger is not traveling in the same plane as the animal.

 “Transporting live cargo by plane can be a complex and stressful process for owners and animals alike. “Our goal is to create a more efficient and safe process by reducing the need for additional travel and offering trained animal care staff immediately pre- and post-flight,” said John J. Cuticelli, Jr. CEO, Racebook and Founder and Chairman of ARK Development?The ARK at JFK. “The ARK provides a healthy and comfortable environment and sets new international airport standards for comprehensive veterinary, kenneling and quarantine services.  The ARK also provides critical national bio-security measures, compatible with federal requirements, preventing the introduction of foreign animal diseases and vetting insects and plants that could bring diseases and agents that could have serious health, economic and trade implications. The existence of the facility mitigates potential security risks by impeding the importation of illegal property and preventing dangerous goods in animal transport crates.” 

Here are the facility’s facts: The ARK is the world’s first privately owned, 24/7 animal terminal and airport quarantine; located at Building 78 at JFK, with 14.4 acres of surrounding ground area, including large cargo aircraft ramp parking and land use for animal handling; comprises seven sections: 1.) Air cargo and ground handling operations by Worldwide Freight Services (WFS); 2.) The ARK Pet Oasis providing care for in-transit companion animals; 3.) Equine and Livestock export stables; 4.) Equine Quarantines; 5.) Bonded in-transit isolation facility; 6.) veterinary/medical space; 7.) Ramp Area for cargo delivery and container cleaning.  

More facts: The 178,000 square-foot facility features 40,000 square-feet of quarantine and in-transit animal care, 26,000 square-feet of support services, 20,000 square-feet of pet boarding, and 92,500 square-feet of cargo ground handling operations; is a sustainable facility featuring electric forklifts and equipment, automatically dimming lighting throughout, energy efficient HVAC systems and an EPA approved incinerator for disposing of international waste; is the first import facility approved by the EPA and USDA to utilize the Virox product line – a non-toxic hydrogen peroxide based disinfecting agents for cleaning and disinfection;  

The $65 million project will create more than 150 jobs airport wide and garner the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey an estimated $108 million in rent over the span of the facility’s 32-year lease with a 5-year renewal option.

Here is a list of the services and amenities. The full-amenity center offers in-transit companion animal handling (ARK Pet Oasis), USDA-approved equine and aviary import quarantine and export facilities, veterinary clinic, cat and dog boarding with training, spa and grooming options;

Domestic pets, horses, birds, livestock and exotic animals are transported to and from aircraft, terminals, cargo warehouses and other airport locations, to be cared for by The ARK’s animal handling and veterinary staff; the Pet Oasis is a central resource available to all airlines, pet parents, federal agencies brokers and shippers servicing the needs and promoting the welfare of companion animals traveling as live cargo.

The ARK at JFK features an equine departure lounge, where horses and livestock rest and receive appropriate food, water and care while their travel documents are being processed. Under USDA oversight, The ARK provides three and seven day equine quarantine staff observes the animals and guides them into specialized climate-controlled stalls equipped with bedding and natural light.

Designed to allow planes to taxi directly to The ARK’s “airside” loading docks, the terminal establishes the gold standard in animal handling, transportation and veterinary care, and provides ancillary travel resources for pets, horses, birds, livestock and exotic animals in a seamless fashion that is more efficient, safe and significantly reduces stress on animals.

The ARK Import Export Center offers pet shipping services including veterinary exam and documentation review, procurement of USDA endorsements as needed, freight bookings and coordination with arrival station for domestic and international transportation from JFK,

LGA and EWR airports.

Located at Cargo Building 78 at JFK, The ARK’s address is 78A North Boundary Road (cross street is Old Rockaway Blvd), Jamaica, NY 11430. Parking lot is on the 78A side.