Portland International Airpotty: A Place for Pets to Piddle

You're traveling through Portland International Airport with your service animal, and the animal suddenly hears the call of nature? Don't worry. The airport has your back.

On Thursday, the airport opened a Pet Relief Area, and it is pretty much as you might imagine - a swath of artificial grass with a fire hydrant, sink, bench and small pick-up garbage bags.

The space is wheelchair/ADA accessible and has a tactile map and luggage counter.

The Port of Portland, which runs the airport, says the new area is part of its effort to constantly improve customer service — something that has already helped it to be named Travel + Leisure's Best American Airport for four straight years.

"The opening of this space helps us enhance our level of customer service," said Daren Griffin, director of airport operations.

"We’ve provided a post-security facility for service animals and their traveling companions that not only meets a federal requirement, but is situated so as to ensure a pleasant experience for all travelers — those with animals and those without."

The pet area is located on the south end of the Concourse Connector, which connects the north and south sides of the airport.

It's intended for service animals but is available for anyone traveling through the airport with pets.

The port says this space allows a convenient post-security location that is not immediately adjacent to any shops, restaurants or waiting areas.

Photo courtesy Port of Portland