Pet Relief Gets Creative “Lift” with Graphics
Whether it’s man’s best friend, a feline companion, or an unconventional type of pet, they all have one thing in common. When “nature calls,” traveling animals have the same needs as their human companions!
At CLT, the Airport has reimagined its indoor pet relief areas as clever pit stops decorated with custom wall graphics by CLT senior graphic designer and Charlotte native Chris O’Malley. While not exactly private stalls, they certainly feel like one.
“The concept derived from coming across a stock image of a dog reading a newspaper,” said O’Malley. “And I thought of the idea of dogs doing human things in the restroom. And what is funnier than toilet paper unwittingly sticking to the bottom of your shoe when you exit the restroom?”
An Artful Approach
O’Malley, who says he loves dogs but admits he doesn’t currently own one, has worked at Charlotte Douglas International Airport for nearly nine years. His primary duties include visually communicating Aviation Department content both internally and externally, as well as branding, presentations, environmental graphics and apparel design. (A recent fan favorite was the mint green 2025 Runway 5K graphic t-shirt.)
A graduate of UNC Charlotte’s Art Program, O’Malley says he loves to “create” – whether it’s art, cooking, or even making cocktails.
“The process consists of coming up with an idea, creating a composition, and then searching for stock dog images that can fit the composition,” said O’Malley. “Then I mask them out in Photoshop and use some techniques to make them fit naturally in the space, like depth perception and shadows, as examples.”
The result is a “paw-some" oversized creation, complete with artificial grass and a bright red miniature fire hydrant, guaranteed to make passengers smile when they visit with their pooch or another pet.
“I like it – these are bigger than at other airports, and at least they have a sign,” said Carly and Seth West, who popped in with their beagle, Dunn. “And the murals are fun!”
Charlotte’s Heather Turner said she did a double-take at the mural during a recent visit with her puppy, Jack. “I noticed them (through the window), and then I could see the dog. They’re very realistic.”
Passenger Convenience
While a new outdoor relief area is coming soon to Zone One near Baggage Claim, CLT wants to meet travelers and pets where they are.
“The Pet relief areas offer customers the convenience and opportunity to keep their dog inside the facility, as many travelers do not have time available to exit and take their animal outside,” said CLT Customer Engagement Manager Lauri Golden. “Identifying a specific location for pet waste helps prevent accidents from occurring in other areas of the terminal, which can negatively impact the experience of other travelers.”
Pet Potty Break Locations
Pre-security Locations:
- Baggage Claim near Carousel 3
- Baggage Claim near Carousel 7 *
Post-security Locations:
- Concourse A Connector (between Gates A1-A13 and A21-A29)
- D/E Connector near Exit *
- Corner of Concourses D and E across from Checkpoint 3
- Concourse E near Gate E36
(* Graphics coming soon)