Last year Americas spent more than $66 billion dollars on their pets. That figure could hit $70 billion this year.
To cater for the US pet industry boom John F Kennedy airport in New York is opening the world's first animal terminal.
The aptly-named Ark caters to all the pets' needs to give owners a more relaxed experience….allowing everyone to put their feet, or paws up.
And it's not just the new terminal that's taking advantage of the pet care trend.
As Nick Harper reports from New York.
IN: "At this..."
OUT: SOC
DUR: 2:32
AIR: http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/0404pets-nh-air.mp3
ARN: http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/0404pets-nh-arn.mp3
FM4: http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/0404pets-nh-fm4.mp3
GENERIC: http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/0404pets-nh-gen.mp3
ICRT: http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/0404pets-nh-icrt.mp3
NIGERIA: http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/0404pets-nh-von.mp3
938LIVE: http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/0404pets-nh-938.mp3
RNZ: http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/0404pets-nh-rnz.mp3
VATICAN: http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/0404pets-nh-vat.mp3
ZIZ: http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/0404pets-nh-ziz.mp3
TAKE PKG
At this terminal check-in is followed by a check-up.
The world's first animal terminal has vets on standby to welcome 'passengers', and ensure they're well cared for….
and thanks to the included grooming service, that they've looking their best before boarding.
There's even pre-flight snacks to suit the pets tastes.
Elizabeth Schuette is the Managing Director of The ARK at JFK.
TAKE SOUNDBITE - Elizabeth Schuette, Managing Director of The ARK
"A pet component is a critical aspect now of travel for a lot of people, so JFK decided they needed to incorporate an animal-lounge, an animal facility as part of their overall improvement program."
TAKE VO
ARK creator John Cuticelli spent months globe trotting, visiting airports in Germany, the UK and Australia to look at their pet-friendly facilities.
He believes owners have been chomping at the bit for a better service from US airports.
TAKE SOUNDBITE - John Cuticelli, Founder, The ARK at JFK
The expediency which you can get the animal onto the plane, not let it sit in its crate for a long time and the expediency for which you can get the animal off the plane, and not let it sit in its crate for a long time, and give it the things you want, Starbucks, Aunt Annie's Pretzels, whatever.
TAKE VO
Prices for food and board at this menagerie for the upwardly mobile start at $125.
And owners can pay extra to get photo updates.
All of this catering to pet owners' whims and fancy means, for businesses, there's money to be made.
TAKE VO
'Canine Styles' has three stores in New York. For nearly sixty years they've pampered Manhattan's poshest pooches. A full grooming service, costs between $115 and $160 dollars.
Plus they sell accessories to make sure you've got the best-dressed pet in the Park.
Nilda Ruiz runs the flagship store on Lexington Avenue.
TAKE SOUNDBITE - Nilda Ruiz, Manager, Canine Styles
"This industry is growing and growing more. I see this industry as being as important as the baby industry. Because they give you the same love a baby does. You have the same needs: you have things to buy, there's food, there's doctors, there's traveling, everything that goes along that you would for a child you do for a pet."
TAKE VO
Barking mad or not, the prices are clearly not giving pet owners pause/paws for thought.
Catering for their four-legged friends is pushing the pet industry skywards.
SOC
ENDS
To cater for the US pet industry boom John F Kennedy airport in New York is opening the world's first animal terminal.
The aptly-named Ark caters to all the pets' needs to give owners a more relaxed experience….allowing everyone to put their feet, or paws up.
And it's not just the new terminal that's taking advantage of the pet care trend.
As Nick Harper reports from New York.
IN: "At this..."
OUT: SOC
DUR: 2:32
AIR: http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/0404pets-nh-air.mp3
ARN: http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/0404pets-nh-arn.mp3
FM4: http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/0404pets-nh-fm4.mp3
GENERIC: http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/0404pets-nh-gen.mp3
ICRT: http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/0404pets-nh-icrt.mp3
NIGERIA: http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/0404pets-nh-von.mp3
938LIVE: http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/0404pets-nh-938.mp3
RNZ: http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/0404pets-nh-rnz.mp3
VATICAN: http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/0404pets-nh-vat.mp3
ZIZ: http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/0404pets-nh-ziz.mp3
TAKE PKG
At this terminal check-in is followed by a check-up.
The world's first animal terminal has vets on standby to welcome 'passengers', and ensure they're well cared for….
and thanks to the included grooming service, that they've looking their best before boarding.
There's even pre-flight snacks to suit the pets tastes.
Elizabeth Schuette is the Managing Director of The ARK at JFK.
TAKE SOUNDBITE - Elizabeth Schuette, Managing Director of The ARK
"A pet component is a critical aspect now of travel for a lot of people, so JFK decided they needed to incorporate an animal-lounge, an animal facility as part of their overall improvement program."
TAKE VO
ARK creator John Cuticelli spent months globe trotting, visiting airports in Germany, the UK and Australia to look at their pet-friendly facilities.
He believes owners have been chomping at the bit for a better service from US airports.
TAKE SOUNDBITE - John Cuticelli, Founder, The ARK at JFK
The expediency which you can get the animal onto the plane, not let it sit in its crate for a long time and the expediency for which you can get the animal off the plane, and not let it sit in its crate for a long time, and give it the things you want, Starbucks, Aunt Annie's Pretzels, whatever.
TAKE VO
Prices for food and board at this menagerie for the upwardly mobile start at $125.
And owners can pay extra to get photo updates.
All of this catering to pet owners' whims and fancy means, for businesses, there's money to be made.
TAKE VO
'Canine Styles' has three stores in New York. For nearly sixty years they've pampered Manhattan's poshest pooches. A full grooming service, costs between $115 and $160 dollars.
Plus they sell accessories to make sure you've got the best-dressed pet in the Park.
Nilda Ruiz runs the flagship store on Lexington Avenue.
TAKE SOUNDBITE - Nilda Ruiz, Manager, Canine Styles
"This industry is growing and growing more. I see this industry as being as important as the baby industry. Because they give you the same love a baby does. You have the same needs: you have things to buy, there's food, there's doctors, there's traveling, everything that goes along that you would for a child you do for a pet."
TAKE VO
Barking mad or not, the prices are clearly not giving pet owners pause/paws for thought.
Catering for their four-legged friends is pushing the pet industry skywards.
SOC
ENDS