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$65 Million Animal Terminal Opens at JFK, Complete With "Pet Oasis"

Feb. 19, 2017
3 min read
Facade at The ARK at JFK - AnthonyCollins.nyc
$65 Million Animal Terminal Opens at JFK, Complete With "Pet Oasis"
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New York's JFK International Airport is one of the worst in the country — for humans. But for traveling pets, it's now home to one of the best airport experiences ever. Phase 1 of The ARK at JFK opened earlier this week, making it the world's first privately owned, 24-hour luxury pet terminal and quarantine center.

The ARK at JFK caters to animals of all kinds — not just cats and dogs. This week's opening includes The ARK Pet Oasis, an Equine & Livestock Export Center for horses (and other large livestock cargo animals) and an Aviary In-Transit Quarantine area just for birds. The ARK Pet Oasis can best be described as an all-animal wellness center — after all, pets need a break during their travels, too.

Highlights of the Pet Oasis include a splash pool; vaccine and micro-chipping services, US Customs clearance for pets arriving from international destinations and an on-site veterinarian available 24/7 for emergency care, evaluation and treatment of any acute medical conditions. Animal relief and grooming areas are also available to all in-transit pets. According to an article by Bloomberg, standard boarding fees will start at $125 and owners anxious about the well-being of their precious pets and cargo animals will be able to pay a little extra for photo and FaceTime updates.

A full-service equine quarantine and import/export center, as well as extensions to the aviary, are set to open in in a few months, while a full veterinary clinic, laboratory and pet boarding and grooming facility will follow later this year.

The $65 million ARK facility is a 178,000-square-foot space located in Building 78A that's divided into three sections: one for air cargo and ground handling operations, another for the ARK and Red Bank Veterinary Hospital's administrative offices and a third that's home to the ARK Pet Oasis.

This looks like a pretty neat option for pet owners and their in-transit animals in need of a break from the stress that goes along with traveling. Let us know what you think in the comments section, below.

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Images courtesy of The ARK at JFK/AnthonyCollins.nyc.

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  • Recommended Credit

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Why We Chose It

There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)

Pros

  • 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
  • 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

Cons

  • Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.