It's hard not to notice how many dogs get adopted and then returned, sometimes several times, from the Coquitlam SPCA. Currently they have Buddy, Beauty, Tequila, Marley and Alpha at their facility, all of whom have been returned from previous Coquitlam SPCA adoptions. Tequila's updated comments say that he cannot go to a home with kids or other pets, and he's now been transferred to the Vancouver SPCA. Deeda, who has not yet been adopted, has been sitting at Coquitlam SPCA since the summer, also with comments on her profile that she cannot be adopted to a home with kids or pets, and she has now been transferred to Vancouver SPCA. Deeda's comments also say that as far back as Sept 20th she is "really stressed". If dogs are being returned it can mean only two things: nobody at the Coquitlam SPCA is screening homes, and/or the dogs need rehabilitation to some degree and are not getting it prior to adoption, which sets them up for failure.

Here are Tequila's comments as taken from the Petfinder site. This is a 9 month old pup!

Notes: UPDATE NOVEMBER 5TH: TEQUILA HAS BEEN TRANSFERED TO THE VANCOUVER SHELTER!

UPDATE OCTOBER 3RD: Yes, unfortunately, Tequila is AGAIN up for adoption :( She is NOT to go to a home with Kids or Other Dogs.

UPDATE SEPTEMBER 30TH: TEQUILA HAS ONCE AGAIN BEEN ADOPTED!

UPDATE SEPTEMBER 29TH: TEQUILA IS ONCE AGAIN UP FOR ADOPTION!

UPDATE SEPTEMBER 24TH: TEQUILA HAS BEEN ADOPTED!

Hiya! I'm Tequila and I was a transfer from Surrey! I'm very sweet and know some basic commands. I'm only 9 Months old so I'm still quite Trainable! The staff here say I have to go to a home with Rottweiler Breed Knowledge and they must have experience with dogs. I've been biting and playing with my leash a bit, but the Coordinator's have given my a Chain Leash and I'm doing MUCH better. I'm quite stressed right now after being adopted and brought back so many times. I need a permanent Forever-Home REALLY soon!

Here are Deeda's comments from Petfinder:

Notes: UPDATE NOVEMBER 5TH: DEEDA HAS BEEN TRANSFERED TO THE VANCOUVER SHELTER!

UPDATE SEPTEMBER 20TH: DEEDA IS VERY STRESSED AND DESPERATELY NEEDS A FOSTER/FOREVER HOME

Hey there! My name's Deeda and I was found wandering around on the Coquihalla Highway. A nice man brought me in here and they phoned my Owners, but they didn’t want me anymore! I don’t see why not, I’m a VERY good girl! I’ve made lots of friends here, but I’d still like to go to a nice, warm, loving home. When I got here, they said I was very Malnourished so they fed me lots of good food and now I look a lot better. I’m very energetic and I LOVE going on Nice Long walks and runs. I might need a little bit of training so I can learn some different commands, but I really just need a loving home with LOTS of attention! Please consider adopting me! I won't let you down!

And Alpha:

Notes: UPDATE NOVEMBER 7TH: ALPHA IS BACK AT THE SHELTER AND IS UP FOR ADOPTION!

dUPDATE OCTOBER 26TH: ALPHA HAS BEEN ADOPTED

Hiya! I'm Alpha and I was brought here when my owner's didn't have enough time for me anymore. I Love going on walks and I'm very strong so I'll need an even stronger owner! I'm playful and I love to go swimming! I'm very good with children, but because of my strength and excitability, maybe I should go to a home with older kids. I really enjoy company and I don't like being left alone for too long; I love attention! I like to play Fetch but not for too long or I just get bored. I like to talk and I want to go to a Forever-Home really soon! Don't look past me just because of my breed. I'm not your Stereotypical Pit Bull at ALL!

And Marley:

Notes: UPDATE OCTOBER 22ND: MARLEY IS BACK AT THE SHELTER AND IS UP FOR ADOPTION!

UPDATE OCTOBER 8TH: MARLEY HAS BEEN ADOPTED!

Well Hey there! I'm Marley and I was brought in to the Shelter when my owners didn't have enough time for me. I'm very obedient and I love to play. I sleep at the foot of your bed, so don't trip on me in the middle of the night! The only thing I really hate is Squirells; they annoy me to no end. I'm really good off-leash. I usually come when I'm called and I'm a great guy to have around. I really hope I get a Forever-Home soon. It's quite stressful at the shelter.

And Buddy:

Notes: UPDATE NOVENBER 1ST: BUDDY IS BECOMING INCREASINGLY STRESSED AT THE SHELTER!

UPDATE OCTOBER 9TH: BUDDY HAS BEEN RETURNED! HIS OWNER'S COULDN'T AFFORD HIM ANYMORE!

UPDATE SEPTEMBER 25TH: BUDDY HAS ONCE AGAIN BEEN ADOPTED!

UPDATE SEPTEMBER 18TH: BUDDY HAS BEEN RETURNED :( HIS OWNER DEVELOPED ALLERGIES TO HIM.

UPDATE SEPTEMBER 17TH: BUDDY HAS BEEN ADOPTED!

Hi there, My name is Buddy and I was a Transfer from Abbotsford! I was recently adopted, but got brought back when they couldn’t afford me. I'm really friendly and I love to play with people in the run…especially when they throw the Tennis Ball for me. I’m pretty easy-going and I get along with most other dogs. I’m pretty excited most of the time so sometimes I jump up on the walls of my Kennel. It’s only because I get really stressed in this little kennel and I need SOMEthing to do so I don’t get too bored! It may look like I’m old because of the grey around my muzzle, but I’m only about 5 years old and I’ve still got lots of good years left in me! The grey just makes me look even more handsome! I LOVE going for walks! Maybe you can take me out for one?

And Beauty:

Notes: UPDATE OCTOBER 1ST: BEAUTY IS GETTING VERY STRESSED! SHE NEEDS A FOSTER OR FOREVER-HOME VERY SOON!

UPDATE SEPTEMBER 10TH: BEAUTY IS ONCE AGAIN UP FOR ADOPTION!

UPDATE JUNE 22ND: BEAUTY HAS FINALLY BEEN ADOPTED!

Hi. I'm Beauty and I've been in and out of the shelter for quite a while now. I need a home really soon, I'm very stressed out here. I don't like most Dogs, Cats or Kids and I'll need a nice strict owner that will train me very well. I'll need a little bit of manners training but I'm very playful, energetic, friendly and easygoing. Forgive me for jumping all over my kennel walls, but I'm so bored and stressed here that it gives me something to do. I'm just starting to go out for walks again, but I really like playing in the office and in the run. I'm housebroken and I walk on a leash very well. I need lots of excercise as I'm a little bit chubby, but hey, no Girl's Perfect! I need a Forever-Home As soon as possible, Please don't overlook me! I'm a VERY sweet girl!

Craig Daniell wrote a letter to defend the BCSPCA and it was printed in the Richmond News on October 27/04, just 11 short days ago.

"...and our internationally recognized animal welfare assessment and rehabilitation programs."

Since it's obvious they don't have it at Coquitlam SPCA, I'd like to know if these dogs are being transferred to the Vancouver SPCA so that they can get some of this "internationally recognized" rehabilitation they so desperately need? The SPCA should be really ashamed of their abysmal adoption track record at Coquitlam. And aren't the managers of any SPCA facility held accountable for situations like this?

Deeda....