Hobby Airport requires all pets and emotional support animals to be crated at all times inside the terminal. The only place a non-service cat may come out of its carrier is inside a SARA — the SARAs are shared with service dogs. As of July 2026 the post-security Level 2 SARA (near Gate 21) is temporarily closed per the airport's accessibility page, which directs travelers to the pre-security Level 1 curbside SARA (Zone 4); plan accordingly if you need a relief stop airside. Keep your cat in the carrier the entire walk to/from the relief area.
Hobby has two Service Animal Relief Areas (SARAs): a pre-security outdoor area at Level 1 curbside near Ground Transportation Zone 4/Red Garage, and a post-security indoor SARA on Level 2 near Gate 20/21 that was renovated in recent years. The airport's own page explicitly requires all pets and emotional support animals to be crated at all times in the terminal, with the SARAs being the only place they may come out.
Serves all gates on the Hobby concourse (one airside concourse; airlines include Southwest, Delta, JetBlue). As of the airport's official accessibility page (checked 2026-07-12), this post-security SARA near Gate 21 is TEMPORARILY CLOSED — the page directs travelers to use the Level 1 curbside SARA (Zone 4) instead. When open it is confirmed by Hobby's own pets page; no reopening date is posted. Field verification recommended.
Outdoor curbside area at arrivals. High escape risk for a cat — carrier must stay closed while in motion; only open it at the relief spot. Confirmed by Hobby's official 'Travel With Pets & Service Animals' page.
Level 2 (concourse level), post-security, near Gate 20/21 (airport's own page says 'Near Gate 21'; a Hobby Facebook post and third-party guides describe a renovated SARA near Gate 20 — likely the same room). · Serves all gates on the Hobby concourse (one airside concourse; airlines include Southwest, Delta, JetBlue). As of the airport's official accessibility page (checked 2026-07-12), this post-security SARA near Gate 21 is TEMPORARILY CLOSED — the page directs travelers to use the Level 1 curbside SARA (Zone 4) instead. When open it is confirmed by Hobby's own pets page; no reopening date is posted. Field verification recommended.
Level 1 curbside SARA
Given this airport's policy, use the pre-security area or relieve at home/hotel before arrival.