Abu Dhabi/Dubai: Entrepreneur and founder of Cloud 9 Pet Hotel Afra Al Daheri has been involved in saving animals for as long as she can remember. However, with the growth of social media, she has found herself a platform that allows her to share her knowledge about animals not only in the UAE but across the Gulf.

“I use Facebook, Snapchat, Instagram and I do live broadcasts. I just think the more exposure about animal welfare and animal conditions in the UAE, the better,” said Al Daheri.

“I want maybe my words and my videos to reach the higher authorities that could make a difference if they see it,” she added.

The 30-year-old said technology has not only helped her get her message about the right treatment of animals across to people but it has also helped promote and grow her business, even receiving messages from people abroad who want to franchise her business in their country.

Abeer Ameri, a cross-fit trainer, and a self-described “fitness junkie”, said she uses Instagram and Snapchat to find more like-minded people to exercise with and to promote healthy living in the UAE.

“The message that I am trying to put out there is fitness is fun … another message that I like to share is for people to try new things and get them out of their comfort zones. You never know what you might fall in love with,” said Ameri.

Ameri said it all started when she realised there were no Emirati women in her fitness circles and when her search for other Emiratis turned out to be unsuccessful, she started searching on social media.

“I asked if there were any non-runners who would like to run with me,” said Ameri. She created the hashtag #runlikeagirlAD and received a “huge response”, she now has a running group that meets every Monday morning.

Noor Al Suwaidi, an Emirati artist and curator, uses social media primarily to connect with other artists around the world as well as with young people/students in the country who seek her guidance in arts.

“It makes me more accessible … All these kids are finding me on social media and I am helping them with their projects, which is pretty cool,” she added.

“Social media has really helped the growth of the art scene, inspire the art scene and share the art,” said Al Suwaidi.

The 35-year-old said while over a decade ago filling in galleries with people may have been a challenge, nowadays it is quite the opposite.

“Now, because of social media, we are worried that too many people might turn up at the events, which is a good problem to have,” she said.