PHX "Bone Yard"

What better way to celebrate New Year’s Eve than to find out about another airport’s pet relief area? Today it’s all about the pet relief areas at Phoenix Sky Harbor International. There are three, one each for Terminals 2, 3 and 4. We flew into Terminal 4, so I went in search of the “Bone Yard” (the other two areas are called the “Pet Patch” and the “Paw Yard”).

It’s on the west side of the baggage claim area, which is a pity, since you arrive on the east side of the baggage claim area. Walk to Door 1, exit the building and turn left. Walk along the sidewalk, and just past the outdoor smoking area is a large, fenced rectangular area with a wrought iron sign saying “The Bone Yard.”

The area is largely covered in crushed gravel, but the center portion is covered in finely-shredded bark set into a bone-shaped perimeter. There are poop bags and a trashcan, and there are a couple of sets of fountains, suitable for both humans and dogs. It’s a pleasant place. I noticed only a couple of negatives. The front door is currently stuck slightly open, and the handicapped-accessible door stays open for a long time once the access button is pushed, so keep your dog on her leash, even if you’re alone. Also, a bench would be very helpful, not only for weary humans, but for a clean-ish place to set a purse or carrier on.

The sidewalk continues well past the pet relief area, so you and your dog can stretch your legs a bit once your mission is accomplished.

This post is part of an ongoing series of reviews of airport pet relief areas we’ve visited. To see others, visit Dog Jaunt’s handy guide to airport pet relief areas.