HOUSTON -- Continental Airlines is going to the dogs, as well as cats and other types of pets. The Houston-based airline unveiled the country's first on-site airport pet kennel Tuesday, KPRC Local 2 reported.

The 1,100 square-foot facility is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

"This is a great facility while they're making their connection -- be it four hours, five hours, six hours, they can spend their layover time here in the kennel," said Lisa Schoppa, Continental's manager of pet product development.

Separate cages keep all types of animals in their own areas.

"We've had ferrets. We've had chinchillas. We've had birds, lab mice, anything that might come through and need to be handled in air conditioned protection," Schoppa said.

There are also exercise runs and a grooming area.

Continental workers also make sure that pets are not cooped up the whole time.

"We take them out. We walk them, exercise them, take them to the restroom, feed them water them, whatever they need," Schoppa said.

Continental officials said the air carrier transported 86,000 animals last year, with 70,000 passing through Houston.

This year, they are predicting more than 110,000 animals.

For more information on Continental's travel policy regarding animals, visit www.continental.com.