Traveling with pets and service animals has become easier at many airports in Canada thanks to pet relief areas located inside and outside airport terminals. Major Canadian airports feature designated pet and service animal relief areas located both outside (pre-security) and inside (post-security) the terminals. Airports including Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto, and Montreal provide these facilities, allowing travelers to care for their pets without leaving secure areas after passing through CATSA screening. Currently, 20 Canadian airports offer animal and pet relief areas, ranging from grassy or gravel areas outside terminals to elaborate indoor facilities.
In 2016 Vancouver International Airport (YVR) in British Columbia established Canada’s first in-terminal animal relief area, giving four-footed passengers a chance to make that always important pre-flight comfort stop. Located post-security in the gate area of YVR’s US Terminal, the facility provides passengers with service or companion dogs, including travelers with reduced mobility, easy access. Currently, there are eight full-service pet relief areas post-security at YVR on the A/B, C, D and E piers, as well as at the South Terminal.
Pet Friendly Airport Facilities Continue to Expand Across Canada
In addition to YVR, there are 18 other indoor, post-security animal relief areas at airports all across Canada, including:
ALBERTA
Calgary International Airport (YYC) is one of the first airports in Canada to have an in-terminal pet relief area in addition to the dog relief areas located outside the terminal buildings. There are four indoor relief area (post-security).
Edmonton International Airport (YEG) offers multiple designated pet relief areas located both inside the terminal (post-security) and outside on the arrivals level (pre-security), equipped with artificial turf or outdoor surfacing, waste bag dispensers, and trash cans.
BRITISH COLUMBIA
Kelowna International Airport (YLW) has a designated pet relief area after security at the washrooms across from the boarding gates, as well as one before security in the designated landscaping to the right of the arrivals doors.
MANITOBA
Winnipeg Richardson International Airport (YWG) has animal relief areas in the Domestic/International Gate Area, located past security across from Gate 9, and in the Transborder Gate Area, located across from Gate 4 for travelers flying direct to the US.
NOVA SCOTIA
Halifax Stanfield International Airport (YHZ) has designated pet relief areas outside the terminal and inside in Departures by Gate 15. Travelers heading to the US will find a pet relief area in U.S. Departures.
ONTARIO
At Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) service animal and pet relief areas are available outside and inside of Terminals 1 and 3, pre and post-security, as well as on the Infield Concourse. Each location features artificial grass, trees or fire hydrants and disposable bags.
QUEBEC
Montréal-Trudeau International Airport (YUL) offers three pet relief areas post-security: in the Domestic Restricted Area, near Gate 47; in the International area; and in the Transborder area.
How Airport Pet Relief Areas Facilitate Travel with Pets
Pet relief areas at airports are designated spaces where pets and service animals can relieve themselves while traveling. Many major airports provide outdoor relief areas, usually in a grassy area near the front of the terminal. Indoor facilities beyond CATSA checkpoints, allow passengers to take care of their pets without exiting the secure terminal. These locations typically include artificial grass or similar surfaces, waste disposal stations and cleaning supplies, and are available for pets as well as service animals.
For more information on pet relief areas at airports in Canada, click here
