Long term parking… for your pet

Denver International Airport is planning a new facility where pet owners can leave their dogs and cats while they catch flights.

The airport has designated four acres just off Pena Boulevard for the pet boarding facility and is now seeking proposals for a private company to operate the center.

Steve Snyder, the spokesperson for the airport explained that as well as providing a service to passengers, the boarding facility would also provide the airport with another source of income.

Details for the facility have yet to be determined by officials are imagining a center with the ability to stay open 24 hours a day and care for 100 dogs, and 100 cats. They are also open to the possibility of boarding birds and exotic pets.

If the airport is able to find a company interested in financing the venture, construction will likely begin in August next year. Ideally, the airport would like to have the facility operational by February 2009.

“It seems that pet care and accommodations are major league right now. You’re seeing more and more of them in travel-related facilities,” Pete Gingras, the airport’s property officer, said.