Road tripping with your canine companions

THINGS TO CONSIDER BEFORE HITTING THE ROAD WITH YOUR FUR BABIES IN THE UAE

With the UAE weather still cool enough for outdoor activities, it’s the ideal time to take advantage of a weekend break with all the family members – even your furry friend.

The first thing to remember before venturing out with your pets is safety. Safety for you, and safety for them. If your dog is not used to travelling and does not have a separate area in the vehicle where it can be safely secured then it is best to invest in a special travelling harness to make sure that your dog is secure and cannot get injured in the event of an emergency stop or accident. Unrestrained animals can also injure other passengers and cause accidents in the event they suddenly get scared or excited and start jumping around in the car.

If you are using a pet carrier – you should ensure that it has adequate room for the dog to stand up and lie down. And that there is enough ventilation – especially in the summer months. There must be adequate access to air-conditioning or the animal will overheat which is potentially fatal. Remember NEVER leave your pet locked in a car - even for a few minutes.

For longer journeys be sure that you plan enough time for breaks where they can drink water, have a stretch and use the toilet. Be sure to take supplies with you to clean up after your dog.

When travelling with an animal, it can be helpful to have its own pet car bag that includes water supply, food,

bowls, lead, harness, blanket and some toys. If you will be camping it is also invaluable to take along some glow sticks that can be attached to their collar to make them easier to find at night if they move away from the camp. Also ensure that they are indeed wearing a collar with a clear name tag also containing your phone number.

Travelling with pets within the UAE is only just starting to get traction so be sure to do your research on the destination before you go. Call ahead if it’s a hotel and find out exactly what will be expected of you and your animal. If you have a big dog who is not well trained, the experience is probably going be rather stressful so best not to have any surprises along the way.

A vehicle dog harness can go along way to keeping all passengers comfortable while travelling.

Be mindful of other people as well, who may not like or appreciate animals, and possibly even have very real fear around being approached by a dog, so be sure to keep your animal under control in situations where other people are involved. Always keep your dogs pet passport with you and a record of all their vaccinations that can be presented on arrival at your destination.

Be sure to take supplies to pick up any mess from your dog.

Once you have all of the above, you are all set to have a fantastic holiday with your pet. RAK – K9 campaign is turning Ras Al Khaima into the ultimate pet friendly destination. Read on in the next pages to find out more. Happy Travels!!

A travel pack for your pet is an ideal add on to your luggage.

Ras Al Khaimah introduces RAS AL-K9

A DESTINATION WIDE PROGRAM WELCOMING FOUR-LEGGED PAWSOME GUESTS AND THEIR HOOMANS

Already a firm favourite amongst travellers and their four-legged friends, the team at Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA) introduces Ras Al-K9, a pet-friendly program running across 25 hotels, restaurants, pet friendly-festivals, outdoor parks and beaches in the Emirate.

pristine white sandy beaches, most of which are open to dogs and their hoomans and offer up the ideal spot to spend the day snoozing under a beach umbrella, catching a frisbee or splashing around in the water. Firm favourites include Al Jazeera and Flamingo beaches, where pooches can explore, frolic and play.

outdoor toys also available to play with in the courtyard. The newly opened Banan Beach Resort has also dedicated a selection of its tents and lofts to welcome furry friends to enjoy its carefree vibe and beachfront setting. For a self-catering accommodation, AM- WAJ by Al Hamra has a dedicated kitchenette to allow guests to whip up their pooch’s favourite meal to fuel up for a day of exploring.

Ras Al Khaimah is the perfect getaway for exploring the great outdoors with dogs. From spectacular wadi walks and mountain hikes on Jebel Jais to chilled out beachside café lunches, desert adventures and overnight stays, there is plenty of experiences on offer across its stunning landscapes – the sea, desert and spectacular mountains – especially this season with milder temperatures.

Raki Phillips, CEO of Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority, commented: “Ras Al Khaimah’s natural typography alongside its spirit of genuine hospitality appeals to both travelers and their four-legged friends. We understand how hard it can be to leave a beloved pet at home while on holiday so we made it as easy as possible for guests to bring their pawsome family members with them. Ras Al-K9 is a community initiative, tapping into the Emirate’s affinity for dogs and providing hassle free options to explore, engage and stay in Ras Al Khaimah. Teaming up with Ras Al Khaimah Animal Welfare Center, hotel partners and others committed to animal welfare, we aim to create an inclusive and supportive community for both visitors and their canine companions.”

Inland, explore the largest openair dog park in the UAE, located at the Ras Al Khaimah Animal Welfare Center. With over 7000 square meters of landscaped areas for your pet to run free offleash, the park also features a fully equipped Agility Park and dedicated doggy swimming pool, as well as a café area where dog owners can socialise while their dogs are playing. Other pet-friendly venues for those looking to grab a bite to eat, include delicious Japanese Cuisine at Ruzo, which offers pet friendly outdoor seating area at Flamingo Beach. The Club House located within Al Hamra, also welcomes guests to bring along their dogs, as do its neighbouring dining venues Marina Muse, Tucano Coffee and Bread & Barrel.

If staying overnight, there are an array of choices including the luxe offerings of Hilton Ras Al Khaimah Beach Resort with their recently launched dog-friendly rooms, featuring direct access to a 500m-long private back beach area and a special ‘Bone Appetit’ room service menu, featuring grilled boneless chicken with white rice, beef and veggie stew, beef burger with potato brioche bun, and chicken sausages with mashed potato. BM Beach Resort has reserved a block of 48 chalets for dogs and their owners as well as an outdoor and beach area. Dogs also get a large selection of in-room toys with communal

Mountain and wadi walkies: For the more active visitors, Bear Grylls Explorers Camp, the world’s first branded Bear Grylls accommodation, offers 16 recycled and redesigned cabins nestled within the mountain, providing the perfect basecamp for adventurers and their canine companions to explore. Camp 1770, the highest camp in the UAE, also provides a stunning pet-friendly base from which to explore the majestic Hajar mountains with your canine companion.

Wadi Shah and Wadi Shawka are ideal spots to hike with dogs offering up thrilling sights, sounds and smells for them to discover. Those looking for a more challenging experience can head to the trails on the UAE’s highest peak, Jebel Jais, where owner and dog can hike the rocky terrain while taking in the stunning scenery. The Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority Team have a series of expert led videos on its social media channels advising hikers and avid walkers how best to prepare for an excursion as well as offering interesting insights into the various routes and tips on safety from leading experts, such as Hussain Darwish, Founder of HK9 (www. hk9.ae), an outdoor activity provider that focuses on hiking experiences with a man’s four legged best friend.

Set tails wagging with beachside & inland frolics: The Emirate is famed for its

Ras Al Khaimah Fine Arts Festival dedicates one weekend for pets In celebration of its 10th year anniversary, the Ras Al Khaimah Fine Arts Festival is introducing an exciting new weekend program for pet-lovers with a ‘pet-friendly weekend’ bringing an exciting line-up of events to the festival which this year celebrates its 10th edition. The ‘pet-friendly weekend’ on February 18th-20th will feature a range of fun-packed activities including workshops, pet adoption and pet yoga, combined with the opportunity to enjoy the art and entertainment provided by the festival. (www.rakcalendar.ae)

Paws by the Beach, Ras Al Khaimah’s First Pet Festival The Emirate will be kicking off its first pet-friendly festival, Paws by the Beach on Marjan Island on February 26th & 27th. Designed to be an educational platform to raise awareness about animal welfare and educate pet owners about their animal’s well-being, the festival will feature fun competitions and entertainment for dogs, cats, and pet owners throughout the two-day festival. In addition, local pet groups, vendors, training schools, pet relocation companies, rehabilitative organisations and veterinarians will give insightful presentations on caring for your beloved pet. (www.rakcalendar.ae)

Desert adventures: For an overnight adventure, RAK Glamping, covers ten acres of desert dunes with stunning views of the Hajjar Mountains, welcoming dogs of all sizes to join their humans and enjoy its traditional Arabic Bedouin Tents. The team will tailor the glampsite for dogs with a fenced perimeter, water bowls, tennis balls, special swimming pool, doggy ice cream as well as an on-site pet store in case you need to stock up on supplies. It also offers a pet-sitting services for guests who want to go off exploring without their four-legged friend in tow.

Adopt your own four-legged friend Established in 2010 by a group of volunteers, Ras Al Khaimah Animal Welfare Center has a number of cats and dogs available for adoption and find forever homes for over 500 animals per year. Anyone interested in adopting their own pet best friend is encouraged to visit the shelter where the team can introduce you to some of its guests and match you with the perfect companion.

Pet owners can also pay a visit to The Pet Shop when in the Emirate, where they regularly host events and adoption days in support of the Ras Al Khaimah Animal Welfare Center. Furthermore, from February 1st – August 31st, The Pet Shop will pick one lucky shopper each month to win AED 500 to spend in store, with the same amount will also be given to Ras Al Khaimah Animal

Welfare Center to support their adoption efforts and help animals in need. Complimentary grooming and prizes will also be on offer for shoppers.

Anyone making a trip to Ras Al Khaimah with their bestie is encouraged to visit https://www. visitrasalkhaimah.com/ras-al-k9 for information on what to consider before they travel. In the meantime, here are some helpful tips to make your pet-friendly trip a success:

Hot sand, rocky terrain and pavement can be painful on your pet’s sensitive paws. Stay away from these hot spots or alternate between hot surfaces and cold surfaces.

Ensure your pet stays well hydrated! Bring extra water and a bowl for them to drink out of, making sure it is available to them at all times.

Be careful not to over-exercise your pet. If you notice excessive panting, foaming at the mouth, or bright pink gums, ensure they lay down to rest and drink water immediately.

Make sure shade is available. Whether it be a beach umbrella or underneath a shady tree, providing your pet with a place to cool off outside of the sunshine is very important.

Make sure you carry a fixed lead, dog harness, snacks, extra water and food, and clean up behind your pet, leaving nothing behind when hitting the trails.

Remember to bring your dog’s vaccination book. To find out more about pet-friendly travel in Ras Al Khaimah, please visit https://www.visitrasalkhaimah.com/ ras-al-k9 or check out the Emirate’s social platforms Instagram, YouTube and Facebook.