World’s First Privately-Owned Animal Airport Center, The ARK at JFK, Opens Phase 2 in June

The world’s first privately-owned animal airport handling and quarantine center, The ARK at JFK, will open Phase 2 of its facility in late June 2017. The second phase includes full-service ARK Import-Export Center (“IEC”) featuring Equine Import Quarantine, and The ARK Aviary (both pending USDA approval.) The 178,000 square-foot animal reception terminal will become fully operational in Fall 2017, with Phase 3 services, operated by sub-tenants, which will include a full service 24/7 veterinary clinic and a long term pet boarding facility.

The ARK Equine Import Quarantine will be the first of its kind in the United States. The ARK’s equine import facility will provide the highest level of care for equine “guests.” Amenities include:

• Special designed trailer to move jet stalls safely to The ARK and directly into quarantine
• State-of-the-art biosecurity designs and protocols in consultation with Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine
• 48 stalls with individual climate controlled advanced HEPA filtered HVAC system
• 12 x 12 individual stalls with 100% air exchange and negative pressure
• A la carte feed/hay available (with prior notification to the ARK and USDA approval)
• All hay is high quality, dust free Timothy-mixed hay
• Cushioned Padenpor flooring and a special four-layer impenetrable epoxy wall membrane
• 24/7 observation and care by equine show-experienced staff/ grooms
• Tack storage
• Adjustable stall lighting to simulate night and day to allow horses to rest
• Veterinarian coverage 24/7
• Veterinary support/consultation by Cornell Ruffian Equine Specialists only 7 miles away
• Security monitoring 24/7
• Flexible pick-up times after release from quarantine
• Large parking lot for ease of movement of transport trailer
• Friendly communication throughout the quarantine stay

“Designing the facilities, biosecurity protocols and oversight for both horses and birds has been a huge undertaking,” said Dr. Linda Mittel of Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine. “Introduction of disease from outside of the U.S. is a serious and real threat to our nation’s animals’ health and agriculture resources.  The ARK has worked closely with the specialists at Cornell to assist in the design of these buildings, ranging from the impenetrable epoxy stall paint to the avian flight cages. In addition, the coordination and cooperation of the numerous regulatory agencies including Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Services, Transportation Security Administration, New York State Department of Health, and The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey – to name a few – was a critical part of the approval process for the ARK,” said Linda Mittel, MSPH, DVM.

The ARK Aviary welcomes birds of all feathers and sizes including pets, commercial and in-transit birds. USDA-approved and supervised avian team members will be on-site to ensure proper care.  The Avian quarantine includes a suite of three individual specialized rooms including the “pet bird” room with special “isolettes.” The ARK trained staff will feed, water, clean isolettes, and provide quality time and enrichment to guests’ family pets under the supervision of the USDA. For commercial and zoo shipments, there are two large flight cage rooms, including one room with a bird swimming pool (for water loving birds.) Special food requests will also be provided for pickier eaters.

 “Currently, access to avian quarantine is only available at two entry ports in the U.S. – JFK and Miami – since the Los Angeles facility at LAX is temporarily closed,” said Elizabeth A. Schuette, Managing Director of The ARK at JFK. “Safe and efficient transportation of birds, whether they are commercial shipments for sale or individual shipments of personal pets relies upon accessibility of quarantine facilities and routing of the flights. With the opening of The ARK’s Avian quarantine, JFK will become a desirable stop or destination because of the quality of the facility and the services. The ARK included the aviary quarantine module to address the needs of shippers servicing the JFK community.”

In addition, The ARK provides services for grooms accompanying export horses including a shower facility, Wi-Fi and access to private space for quiet and relaxation as they wait with horses leaving JFK. Equestrian grooms travel with horses when traveling in the air or on the ground.  These horse caregivers are vital to the safety and care of these animals and The ARK has designed amenities for the grooms.

The world’s first privately-owned, 24-hour animal terminal and airport quarantine center – The ARK at JFK is located at Cargo Building 78A at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) on 14.4 acres and will fully open in Fall 2017. The ARK Pet Oasis and Equine Export Center opened January 2, 2017 and have welcomed horses, dogs, cats, rabbits, turtles, mice, goats and many others. Approved by the Board of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ), The ARK was constructed by ARK Development, LLC. The $65 million state-of-the-art facility will provide both airside and landside services, including a USDA-approved equine import quarantine, in-transit companion animal kenneling, boarding, and veterinary and diagnostic services.

For more information, visit www.arkjfk.com.