About LCA

Founded in 1984 by Hollywood actor Chris DeRose, Last Chance For Animals (LCA) has its roots in fighting and exposing the inherent cruelty of vivisection. In the organization's early years, DeRose led teams of dedicated activists employing non-violent strategies modeled after social movements led by such leaders as Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King, Jr.

Using "Direct Action," LCA activists engaged in peaceful protest with determined resolve... to make sure their voices would be heard. When direct action was still a new concept in the American animal rights movement, every well-planned demonstration achieved tremendous media coverage. By the late 1980s, LCA was earning a national reputation for its no-nonsense approach to exposing animal cruelty. Though dozens of activists faced arrest and some even faced extended jail time for charges such as trespassing, LCA is proud that its direct action protests have never caused injury to a person who was not voluntarily involved (i.e., some activists themselves were injured due to being forcefully ejected from the protest).

With its national reputation growing, LCA received support from around the country, and around the world -- from caring people who decided that it was time to fight peacefully yet fight hard... staging direct action, and gathering evidence to send animal abusers to jail.

With an increased budget and staff, LCA expanded its focus beyond vivisection. In the 1980s, 1990s, 2000s, and 2010s, LCA has worked on virtually every animal rights issue, including farming, fur, and animals in entertainment. LCA's primary focuses are vivisection, pet theft, fur, and circuses.