Alexis Gigg has worn many hats at Cause for Critters since first getting involved as a volunteer in 2015. Now serving on the board while coordinating communications, marketing, volunteers, and animal care programs, Gigg plays a central role in helping Alberta animals in need. Over the past decade, she has witnessed the organization grow from a small grassroots rescue to an established community resource that continues to find homes for thousands of pets and provides essential support to owners facing hardship.
Describe your charity/non-profit/volunteer work in a few sentences.
Since our inception in 2008, we have helped over 5,000 animals find new homes, reconnect with their owners, or with food and other supplies.
What problem does it aim to solve?
Our goal is to provide the best possible care to our resident animals while they wait for their forever families.
When did you start/join it?
I started as a volunteer in 2015, but joined the board in January 2018.
What made you want to get involved?
My love of animals and passion for animal welfare.
What was the situation like when you started?
There have always been too many animals in need of help/ searching for their forever homes. However, over the years, the severity of the situation has ebbed and flowed. We were a much smaller operation when I joined 10 years ago. So, the whole operational side of CFC has evolved.
How has it changed since?
Since the pandemic, more and more people are looking to rehome their animals for varying reasons. We are seeing a huge increase in those unable to care for their animals due to financial constraints. We are also seeing the results of unaltered cats being dumped/ living in rural areas, who are repopulating; countless requests to take in colonies of “stray” cats.
What more needs to be done?
On a small scale, more people need to spay and neuter their pets. Locally, bylaw regulations and fines need to be more severe for animal infractions and improper pet ownership. Large scale, the idea of animals being “property” rather than individual beings with rights needs to be implemented into provincial/federal laws so that those who do not properly care for or follow safe ownership rules can be more heavily punished.
Alberta also has some of the highest veterinary costs across Canada. So, pet owners need to do research before taking on an animal. However, it would be nice to see incentive programs or lower costs for spays and neuters to at least handle that issue in the larger picture.
How can our readers help?
Anyone looking to help their local animal rescues can do so in a multitude of ways: adopt, foster, volunteer, share social media posts, attend fundraising events, donate funds or supplies, and of course, spay and neuter their own pets.
Do you have any events coming up?
We do not currently have any dates planned for our 2026 fundraisers, but we always post our recurring events on our Facebook page.
Where can we follow you?
Website | Facebook | Instagram
PAY IT FORWARD: What is an awesome local charity that you love?
We LOVE WILDNorth. They care for wildlife in need in northern Alberta.
