Many points of interest were openly and frankly talked about and we found ourselves in agreement with Mr Martin on all topics.

1) Coquitlam Animal Shelter (CAS) does not accept owner surrendered animals. Mr Martin expressed the opinion that to do so makes it too easy for owners to shirk their responsibilities.

2) Only one dog has been put down for behaviour since the shelter opened in Summer 2002.

3) CAS does not use a test to determine if a dog will be immediately euthanized, or labelled a possible euthanasia, or labelled no problem as does the BC SPCA. Mr Martin said that there is no need of a test for the reasons that he has not seen a test that he agrees with; that tests are not an efficient use of staff time because they do not intend to kill any dogs, rather they intend to rehabilitate them and place them wisely: that a dog cannot be accurately assessed in an upsetting kennel environment, being poked and prodded by strangers.