Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA) has developed its new ‘Pause for Paws’ campaign in collaboration with the RAK Animal Welfare Center (RAKAWC) and local organisations to help find loving homes for rescued cats and dogs across the emirate.
With the aim of making a meaningful impact on the lives of these animals and to encourage the wider community to rally behind the cause, RAKTDA and RAKAWC have garnered support from leaders of key organisations, including RAK Ports, Stevin Rock, Ras Al Khaimah Government Media Office, RAK Hospitality Holding and hotels in Ras Khaimah, to showcase the welfare of animals.
Launching on August 17, to coincide with International Homeless Animals Day, the ‘Pause for Paws’ campaign will highlight the ongoing efforts to provide the emirate’s homeless animals with care, shelter, and loving homes.
Each week, the campaign will spotlight a different cat or dog from RAKAWC on social media, sharing their remarkable survival stories, lovable personalities, and endearing characters to inspire local residents to open their hearts and homes.
“Ras Al Khaimah is a close-knit community, and at RAKTDA, we are committed to supporting, educating, and inspiring our residents,” explained Raki Phillips, CEO of RAKTDA.
“Our mission is to raise awareness about the importance of animal welfare and inspire our community to take action.
By working together, we can ensure that every cat and dog at RAKAWC finds a loving family thereby building a stronger, more compassionate Ras Al Khaimah. Together, let’s be the voice for the voiceless and make a real difference to the lives of these animals.”
To bring the ‘Pause for Paws’ campaign to life, a photoshoot capturing individual images of cats and dogs at the rescue center took place with the participation of RAKTDA’s CEO, along with senior management and leaders from several Ras Al Khaimah organisations.
The campaign also introduces a unique element – the weekly appointment of a ‘Chief Pawsitivity Officer’ (CPO), featured alongside a CEO from a Ras Al Khaimah government entity and highlighted on social media.
To drive adoptions, the Visit Ras Al Khaimah Instagram account will showcase a professionally photographed cat or dog from the shelter each week.
These high-quality images aim to capture the true personalities and charm of the animals, boosting their appeal to potential adopters and significantly increasing adoption rates. To further support this campaign, RAKTDA and RAKAWC will also stage animal welfare awareness sessions at local schools, educating the next generation on how to care for and protect our furry friends.
The effort is part of RAKTDA’s ongoing ‘All About You’ brand campaign starring the self-titled ‘World’s Most Relaxed Cat’.
The character is inspired by the memory of a real-life cat, Leo the Zen Kitty, who was rescued from RAKAWC by a local resident, and has since captured the hearts of many on social media, becoming a symbol of the serene and welcoming environment of Ras Al Khaimah.
