Last Chance at Life

Kendra Krishnan

2024-04

Lcal is a sinking ship. Current leadership values policy and black and white rules over what is best for the dogs and the families that love them. Let me tell you my story as an 8 year supporter of lcal.We adopted our first dog (a boxer) through the founder, lisa (who is an absolute angel) in 2016. We loved our dog deeply until she passed away in 2022. When she passed, I started volunteering weekly with the rescue, walking dogs, trying to fill the void that my dog’s passing left. I learned more about rescue and started fostering dogs through lcal. We took 4 foster dogs from intake through adoption, one of the fosters staying with us for 6 months! I also attended adoption events with these fosters, donating hundreds of hours promoting the rescue. I attended fund raisers, donated supplies and cash, and supported the lcal thrift store. I was invested in the mission.In December, I told the foster coordinator that we are looking for a dog to permanently add to the family, ideally a boxer between the ages of 2-5. I would send her listings from shelters, and she would explain why each dog was not going to work for lcal to pull for me. I appreciated her advice and was waiting patiently for a right fit. When she texted last week asking me to foster a boxer, Tyson, I was overjoyed! I expressed to her that we would love to and that we would hopefully adopt Tyson. Unfortunately lcal decided to advertise him on social media the next day and quickly got multiple applications from well vetted adopters. We were told on a Sunday (after having tyson for 4 days) that we needed to decide by Monday if we wanted to adopt. Otherwise he would go to a meet and greet on Wednesday and likely be adopted. On Monday evening, I texted the foster coordinator telling her that I had some questions about the adoption. She did not get back to me until Tuesday morning. We discussed my concerns (we have 4 cats and I ideally wanted more time to see how Tyson would interact with them) but I clearly told her we wanted to keep Tyson. She said she would ask the board for more time. Later that afternoon, I was told that because I wasn’t sure, they were moving forward with the other adoption and I was no longer eligible to adopt Tyson. I was in shock. I responded that I wanted the dog and that I had put aside any uncertainty and please can we adopt Tyson. I was told no and that they would immediately come pick him up wherever I was. The lcal president contacted me and was so over the top harsh and rude, I felt like I was being treated like a criminal.My family is heartbroken. Just as we were bonding with what was likely the perfect dog for our family, he was forcibly taken away. Shame on you lcal. You’ve put deadlines and policy above what is best in complex situations. I understand the reasons for your policy, but you refused to have even the slightest flexibility for a long time supporter. You wouldn’t even give me a few hours to get my questions answered before moving on to the other adopter who hadn’t even met Tyson. You are burning your fosters, the very backbone of your organization.

Lori Kuhn

2024-04

Great place to shop.While also helping homeless animals!We have found some very cool items here.

R B

2023-08

Great place with so much variety. Love that they donate to animals ❤️

Jess Borba

2023-05

In the area on vacation & decided to stop in here to check it out since it had great reviews. Great store. Prices seem fair, however they do look up the vintage items & mark those way higher. We did like how they had a color off tag.

Purple Blaze

2024-04

Every time I go it's like a treasure hunt and I enjoy going here.

Maddie Mm

2023-05

i’m almost afraid to rate them 5 stars because this place is insanely good! definitely my secret weapon in terms of thrift stores. i love their cause and nowhere can beat their prices. how affordable their clothing is is literally unrivalled. on top of that, they also provide several different kinds of discounts, but i would recommend not taking them if you can so you can support their mission more. ultimately decided to rate so hopefully they can see more traffic in their store

DonnaMichelle Leon

2021-05

Great store with some great treasures for a great cause BUT recently I noticed price increases and a lot of things being marked as vintage when they aren't necessarily vintage. The cashier was also rude, not so much with me but with a lot of other customers. She seems to talk down to people often and make rude remarks. I've been here before with older cashier's that are very sweet. I didn't like my visit today.

V S

2021-05

The store its big, lots variety of merchandise to everyone; kids ,adults and pets! The volunteers are very nice,friendly and helpful. The place its clean and organize. Lots spots to park the car, easy to find the location. You can see the building by the street. In short, so far its the best Thrift Shop I seeing lately!

Danielle Hoffpauir

2021-05

If you’re looking for quality items at good prices, this is your place! There’s a large variety of items, especially houseware and kitchen. There’s even a small garden section with succulents. I was pleasantly surprised to find a variety of quality vintage dish ware, as well. Plus, all proceeds support a wonderful cause! It’s definitely worth stopping in and finding new-to-you treasures.

Carmen O'Connor

2020-05

Clean and organized with items for sale in good clean condition. Wonderful selection of books plus nice quality furniture. Volunteer staff are friendly and always helpful. I am a frequent customer as well as a donator.

Christen Garrity

2018-05

Great thrift store in Oceanside with a large selection. Even better that their proceeds go to the animals they rescue from kill shelters. I donated items this past weekend and money. When you donate money they ring a bell, they are very grateful! They are nice people and I love that this place helps animals in need.Other people were there donating and shopping!

Kris Bertelson-Williams

2015-05

I especially like this thrift store because the proceeds from the sales here support animal rescue. I shop here whenever I'm in the neighborhood, and most often find the items I'm looking for. I enjoy visiting the resident foster dog while I'm here. The prices are fair and the guy who runs the place is easy to deal with. I would recommend Last Chance to any thrift store shopper.

Kay McCoy

2019-05

Had been wanting to donate here for quite some time. Finally took some bags of BRAND new stuffed animals that were my sales samples. Plus other samples clothes and boots. Did NOT feel the love... staff seemed more inconvenienced than grateful to receive my donations. Sad because it’s SUCH a good cause!

Amado Carino MD

2018-05

Great place to shop for a cause. From antique kitchen utensils to electronics and vinyl albums at a reasonable price. Parking is available, open on Sundays. They accept credit cards too.

Ashley Hayden

2021-05

This is by far my favorite thrift store. The owners are always nice and welcoming, it is clean and organized, and the best part is that is benefits animal rescue. We have donated and purchased here several times and wouldn't do it any where else.

Janis Christie

2016-05

I donate tons of stuff here & get some of my customers to as well. There are too many thrift stores like Goodwill who help people, but our animals need help as well!Always great to deal with. I`m grateful they`re in my neighbourhood.

James Smith

2021-05

I went to donate some alot of stuff. Had go donate somewhere else. Website say it is open on Wednesday but there note on the door says it is closed. My thing is updated your website. This was a waste of my time. Every other thrift store has updated their hours why can't this thirt store do it to. If the manager can't had their website. Get rid the manager and get a onther one.

Nicolas Ian Coffman

2022-05

These people are the kindest, most genuine thrift owners I've ever met. They truly do this for the heart and compassion. Please give them as much business as you can!

S Soto

2021-05

The thrift store is great! The cause is wonderful, however, after completing volunteer hours here and receiving incorrect paperwork that had to be turned into the court, all the portly blonde lady could tell me is that they are JUST volunteers. Not taking any responsibility for the errors made on the paperwork. Idk if she was telling me to not expect much from them or to feel sorry for them. I WAS going to volunteer my free time to them for the dogs, but after that encounter, I'm not inclined to do so anymore. Is being a volunteer an excuse not to do something right? They never returned my calls, I had to go down there. She couldn't even give me an apology for the inconvenience or a guarantee of when they would correct the many errors on the paperwork. I WAS going to donate a ton of stuff to them, plus MY free time, but not if I'm going to have an attitude like that lady. She acted as tho I was the one in the wrong for expecting my stuff to be correct. I'm very disappointed. I WAS in love with this place, but now I'm left feeling like I gave them something they didn't even appreciate. I didn't have to do a good job because I'm a "volunteer", but I did. Because doing a good job accurately means something to me, whether I get paid or not. I don't want to go back after all that. I'm still waiting for my paperwork. Not impressed anymore...

Elizabeth Cortez

2021-05

Help our environment, reuse and repurpose whenever you can. You'll find many useful products at Last Chance At Life Thrift Store. Items include sporting goods, household items, pet supplies office supplies, books, games, clothing, and even plants. The inventory is replenished frequently so stop by often. Money goes to a worthy cause, your support saves the life of an animal in need.

Judith Romero

2022-05

I always find home decor for a great price. When I come with the kiddos, sometimes they will gift a free book to them. Great experience .

Madelyn Rowe

2017-05

The deals were incredible. I love the 50% off weekends especially. The staff was also very friendly and helpful. I love that my money is going to an amazing cause for animals in need.

Gary McIntire

2018-05

Good prices, clean and well organized. And a very friendly staff as well. Plus the proceeds go to support a local animal rescue, unlike some for profit thrift stores.

Kat Mouse

2020-05

I was directed to Last Chance by staff at Mission Animal and Bird Hospital. I had a large new dog bed to donate. But the location was closed and empty. I took the bed to the Humane Society nearby. They were happy to take it.

Jason Adams

2021-05

It’s hard to express how much we appreciate the wonderful folks at LCAL. From beginning to end it’s abundantly clear that they deeply care about the animals and want to set them up for success with the right family. There was even a moment’s miscommunication, but they were quick to come back to us and clear everything up. The foster mom that had our dog was exceptional, taking excellent care of the dog while being mindful to avoid bonding. She then helped transition the dog to us and shared everything she’d learned about the dog to best set us all up. Finally, they’ve lent us a bunch of items for a couple weeks to give us time to pick up what we need as we bond with our new doggo.I want to thank the wonderful people at LCAL! I would absolutely adopt again, and especially from them!

Michel Lamoureux

2019-05

Nice slection very reasonable prices. Very nice book section, categorised, except for westerns. If you're into animal rescue, this is the place to shop. When yoy go, yake along a donation. It will be appreciated.

Diane Gravlin

2021-05

This is a wonderful place, very friendly. I found some real treasures for our house.Money goes to rescue dogs and there care..such a worth while cause. Go visit.

Angelo Calderone

2021-05

The staff has rearranged the store to create more space between the aisles and neatly place the items. Excellent!

Maria Carapia

2022-05

Great little shop. There are treasures if you don't mind the hunt! And, it's for a great cause.

Loni Adams

2018-05

This is a very good place to shop for clothes and household goods, very reasonable. Hard to find time to go during limited store hours during the week.