OAK
Oakland International
Oakland, CA · 4 relief areas · Rank #44
Verified 0d ago2 · Risky
Warning

The indoor post-security relief room is designated for service animals only. Travelers with non-service cats must use one of the three outdoor curbside areas — there is no indoor option for pet cats at OAK.

One enclosed 100 sq ft post-security Service Animal Relief Area in Terminal 2 near Gate 25 — but it is signed and operated as service-animals-only, which the airport states explicitly. Terminals 1 and 2 are connected airside via a walkway near Gates 4/20, so a service-animal handler in T1 can reach the T2 room without re-clearing security. Non-service cats are limited to outdoor curbside areas.

Relief areas · sorted by cat-safety
Terminal 1 outdoor area
Between Terminal 1 and the Executive/Manager Parking Lot, adjacent to Terminal 1 on Airport Drive
2
pre-securityOpen area

Outdoor curbside relief area. Not enclosed. Carrier mandatory during transit to/from the door.

Between Terminals 1 & 2 outdoor area
Along the Hourly Parking Lot fence between the two terminals
2
pre-securityOpen area

Outdoor strip along the parking-lot fence line.

Terminal 2 outdoor area (Southwest baggage)
Outside Terminal 2 near Southwest Airlines baggage claim, adjacent to Airport Media parking on Airport Drive
2
pre-securityOpen area

Outdoor curbside area on the Terminal 2 side.

Terminal 2 Service Animal Relief Area
Terminal 2, near Gate 25
1
post-securityWalled room

Service-animals-only per OAK's October 2018 opening announcement and current accessibility page. 100 sq ft ventilated room with a full sink, cleaning tools, and a miniature fire hydrant. Confirmed by airport's own press release and accessibility page. Terminals 1 and 2 are connected post-security near Gates 4/20, so a service-animal handler in T1 can reach this room without re-clearing security. Cat owners with non-service cats cannot use this room.

Cat plan
Primary: Terminal 1 outdoor area

Between Terminal 1 and the Executive/Manager Parking Lot, adjacent to Terminal 1 on Airport Drive · Outdoor curbside relief area. Not enclosed. Carrier mandatory during transit to/from the door.

2 · Risky
Avoid at OAK

Terminal 2 Service Animal Relief Area · Terminal 1 outdoor area · Between Terminals 1 & 2 outdoor area · +1 more

Plan B: relieve before security

Given this airport's policy, use the pre-security area or relieve at home/hotel before arrival.