Dog owners often find themselves in a bit of a quandary when preparing to travel: should they leave their furry friends with a sitter or at a kennel? Both options require a good deal of planning and can be quite stressful.
To help ease this process, Rome’s Fiumicino International Airport has taken a page from Frankfurt’s book and opened one of the first on-site dog hotels at a major European airport. The staff at Dog Relais can even fetch your pup from the terminal, allowing travelers to head straight to their flights.
“This initiative aligns with our strategy of enhancing passenger experiences,” explained Marilena Blasi, the chief commercial officer of Aeroporti Di Roma, which oversees the city’s two airports. “In this scenario, we’re catering to both the dog and the owner.”
The basic accommodations at Dog Relais are priced around $47, featuring temperature-controlled floors and private gardens. For dogs that may need a quieter space, the kennel area offers more interaction with staff instead of other dogs, incorporating gentle ambient music designed to relax them during the night.
There are several optional services available as well, from grooming and bathing to aromatherapy with calming lavender and peppermint. More luxurious choices, like soothing creams for sore muscles, are also offered.
For those who want more than just a standard view of their pet on a webcam, there’s a premium room available for $70, equipped with a 24-hour video call screen. You can even send treats to your dog via an app connected to a dispenser.
The hotel caters not only to travelers but also to local dog owners who need daycare services.
Alessandra Morelli, who has a two-year-old chocolate Labrador named Nina, shared her positive experience. “Taking Nina to this dog hotel has really helped me balance my work and personal life, I can focus on both without worry,” she mentioned.
Dario Chiasarini, 32, spoke about bringing his Rottweiler puppy, Athena, in for training, noting that he plans to check in on her whenever he travels with his girlfriend.
“We trust the staff completely since we’ve come to know them well. It’s crucial for us to feel secure about where we leave Athena,” he added. “We’d definitely use this service again.”
So far, the dog hotel has been quite popular, fully booked during August as many Italians took their summer holidays, with occupancy rates averaging around two-thirds since its opening in May, according to Blasi.
Coincidentally, the same month the dog hotel opened, the Italian Commercial Aviation Authority updated its policies to permit larger dogs in the cabin for domestic flights, provided they are in safe crates. Transport Minister Matteo Salvini announced that the inaugural flight with this new provision will occur on September 23rd.
While Salvini acknowledged that not everyone might agree with dogs flying alongside passengers, he emphasized the importance of exercising sound judgment. “It’s a source of pride and a step forward for our society,” he remarked during a recent pet-related meeting.
