In part one of a two-part interview with Last Chance for Animals (LCA) founder Chris DeRose, Kat Pirelli-Zucchetta returns to Hollywood, where her career with animals began, to discuss celebrity activism and the fight to end the dog meat trade in South Korea.

LCA is a global nonprofit charity organisation dedicated to ending animal exploitation and abuse. Established in 1984, LCA seeks to combat animal cruelty through investigations, public outreach, legislation, and media campaigns. 

Chris began his career as an actor and online reporter for television shows like Hard Copy and Inside Edition. He also worked as a private investigator and police officer while building a prominent acting career, appearing in several television series. For decades, Chris has been a leading figure in animal rights activism and has a long list of celebrity supporters including Kim Basinger, Clint Eastwood, Brigitte Bardot, Moby, and Pamela Anderson. 

His dedication has inspired many, including myself, to advocate for animals and start other charity organisations. Chris works tirelessly to raise awareness and create positive change for animals worldwide.

Tickets are now available to this year’s  40th Anniversary Gala in October, which will be a star-studded Hollywood event you won’t want to miss.

Monaco Life: We know you recently played a key role in the passage of South Korea’s dog meat ban, with Kim Basinger supporting you on the ground, but first can you share with our readers why you founded Last Chance for Animals?

Chris deRose: I started LCA to expose what happens in animal testing laboratories. I believed that if people saw what I saw, they’d be out in the streets by the thousands, demonstrating and demanding change. I truly thought that this would stop within a year or two, because people wouldn’t tolerate such horrific practices inside of these labs.

As the “James Bond of animal advocacy”, how did you manage to uncover what was going on in laboratories in Southern California?

Back in 1978 to 1980, the security was different and not as secure as it is now, but there were no precedents then either.

I would walk in during the day dressed in a lab coat and a fake badge and at night I’d slip in surreptitiously under different pretences, sometimes posing as a student.  Late night visits were easy as I blended right in, looking like just another professor or student working late.  

This was uncharted territory. You didn’t know what would happen if you got caught, but we made it happen. When I decided to go in, it was all about exposing what no one else knew. My goal was clear – to figure out how to shut the facility down by revealing the horrific experiments inside. And we did, exposing it internationally.

Let’s talk about your history and passion for saving animals. I’ve known you for over 20 years and have always admired your fierce dedication. You’re an inspiration to animal lovers everywhere. But when exactly did your passion for animals begin?

I’ve never had a dog or a cat, so I have no connection with them in that sense, but when I was in an acting workshop class of about 30 people, a dog walked up from off the street and sat right at my feet. 

Sal, the owner of Sal Dano’s Workshop, asked me to put the dog outside. I was worried he’d get hit by a car as the traffic was whizzing by, so I decided to keep him with me instead. I kept him for a few days, and he ended up in my bed that first night.

I took the dog home and put him on the patio, but next thing I know, he’s strolling back in, heading straight for my bed. I was worried he might bite me. I didn’t know anything about dogs! Instead, he hops up, plops his head on the pillow, and pushes me over. We both look at each other, and I swear he had a grin on his face. I ended up laughing, thinking, “Well, I did hear I’d end up in bed with a dog someday, but not literally!” That’s when I realised animals have their own kind of intelligence and feelings.

I thought taking the dog to a shelter was the right move, but when I tried, he cried and put his paws on my feet. It reminded me of when my mom put me in an orphanage when I was five years old and I remembered hanging on to her leg and crying, which was the last time I cried for 30 years. In the orphanage, I was taught not to show emotion. Seeing the dog cry brought all that back.  

I told the lady behind the desk, “I’m keeping the dog, and not leaving him here.” But she insisted I sign papers as she had already put the dog in a cage. They assured me they would take care of the dog. I felt relieved of this duty that had I committed myself to, but still, it bothered me. Since then, I learned that animals have their own feelings and intelligence, even if it’s not the same as ours. We’re great at creating destructive things, but that’s not their kind of intelligence. Animals have genuine emotions and character and deserve to live and be treated the way they were put here to be treated. 

You have since worked in the entertainment industry and have many celebrity friends including the wonderfully outspoken Bridgette Bardot, who is also a well-respected animal advocate and well known in the French Riviera.  Do you have any fun or memorable stories you can share with us?

One of the leaders in the movement interviewed Brigitte Bardot, who told him there were only two people in the world she wanted to meet, and I was one of them. A few years later, when I was in Saint-Tropez, I sent her a rose with a note that said, “This is a rose to a rose from the Rose.” She immediately knew it was from me. She called the Byblos Hotel, where I was staying, and insisted I be brought to her home. At that time, she was like a god in Saint-Tropez. They sent a vehicle to bring me over. While I was there, my nose kept running because she had 21 cats and 19 dogs. I happen to be allergic, unfortunately, to animals, especially dogs and cats! Brigitte looked at me and said, “Chris, are you ill?” I replied, “No, Brigitte, I’m just allergic to the dogs and cats.” She couldn’t believe it. “No, no, no! It’s not possible! The famous Chris DeRose allergic to dogs and cats?” I assured her it was true, but she still didn’t buy it. 

Meanwhile, my nose was running like a faucet and I went through an entire roll of toilet paper. I thought red wine might help dry it up, but instead of acting like an antihistamine, it did the opposite. I had no idea. Despite all that, she was incredibly nice to me and a very lovely, kind, and humble woman. She may be quirky in her ways, but it’s only because of her love for animals. No one should have anything bad to say about her.

It has been a pleasure chatting to you; thank you for taking the time out for Monaco Life. Is there anything you would like to add?

LCA does not discriminate against any animals, and we believe all animals have rights and should be protected and emphasise the importance of ongoing education to continue positive changes in animal welfare

Stay tuned for the second part of this interview, when I delve into more detail with Chris about how LCA helped stop the dog meat trade in South Korea.  

For tickets to this year’s Hollywood gala, click here.