Tracking car thefts; Adoption outcry: CBC's Marketplace cheat sheet

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If you're driving a car you bought new in the past couple years, there's a good chance you have a push-to-start ignition. 

The technology is deceptively simple. Instead of turning the key, you just push the start button.

But while it's a breeze for drivers, that convenience has a downside.

Experts say push-to-start ignitions are easy prey for car thieves, who are leveraging the technology to steal vehicles to ship overseas. 

A Marketplace investigation tracked stolen vehicles from Ontario and Quebec all the way to Ghana and Nigeria, where there's a booming market for Canadian cars because of their reliability and the availability of parts.

"It's low risk, high reward," said Det. Greg O'Connor of the Peel police auto crime unit, who told Marketplace this type of car theft has a low overhead cost and takes little time. Cars can be loaded onto shipping containers and be en route within hours, he said. Read more

Watch Marketplace's full investigation tonight to find out how to protect your vehicle and get the inside scoop on what car tops the list of the most stolen vehicles in Ontario. That's at 8 p.m. (8:30 NT) on CBC-TV and CBC Gem.

Mike and Erin Doan of Listowel, Ont., began inquiring about adopting a dog after their nine-year-old son Henry communicated to them that he wanted one.

But when Erin contacted Kismutt Rescue to ask about a dog the group had up for adoption, she was shocked to be told they don't allow families with autistic children to adopt.

On Facebook, Kismutt Rescue released a statement explaining its policy and wrote that after two bad experiences, "No dog will be adopted into homes with autistic children."

But Erin said she doesn't understand why an organization would ban all autistic people from adopting dogs.

"For sure, there are some that have more behavioural issues than others, but to put a blanket policy in place without even meeting the kiddo and the family — it's just really disheartening," she said.