As promised, here’s a draft form letter that you can send to businesses on your regular walk routes. I held off posting it since the weather has been so warm, but this weekend's dusting of snow means the sidewalks are once again covered in salt. If even one building switches to paw-friendly salt, then it’s a victory.
Dear (name of business),
I am writing you on behalf of all dog owners who walk along your sidewalk in the winter.
Every winter, salt is put down on roads and sidewalks alike to make them safer and less slippery. You may not realize, however, that most salt easily sticks in the paw pads of dogs who walk through it. The hard crystals are often sharp (as can be attested to by anyone who has ever gotten some in their boot) and can be very painful to the dogs.
Dogs can also become ill from licking the salt off their feet, or from the chemical changes that occur once the animal goes indoors. At indoor temperatures, salt can heat up to over 150 degrees Fahrenheit, burning paws, tongues, and mouths.
Please consider switching to a dog-friendly de-icer, such as Safe Paw. It is designed to be non-toxic, and it doesn’t build up in the dogs’ paws like regular salt. It is readily available, and melts ice at least as well as the usual salt-based products.
On behalf of your human and canine neighbors, thank you for taking the time to consider my request.
Regards,
(Your name)
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