Chris Bowers

When Chris Bowers first came to Fort McMurray in 2011, it was meant to be a one-year stopover. He took a job for the work opportunity and had no idea the city would come to mean so much. One year became two, then three, and before long, Fort McMurray became home.

Today, Chris serves as Shift Manager at the Fort McMurray SPCA, one of several roles he has held with the organization since 2016. It is one of the most challenging positions he has ever held, but it is also the most rewarding. Every day, Chris sees animals arrive in need and leave with safety, care, and love. He guides families through adoption and fostering, mentors staff, and supports volunteers. For him, the SPCA is more than a workplace. It is a place where tangible change happens every day.

“The impact is so real,” Chris says. “You see lives change, both animal and human, right in front of you.” His dedication is evident in every decision he makes, from improving care routines to supporting programs that help animals and educate the community. Chris believes advocacy does not stop at the shelter doors. He works to teach the public about responsible pet ownership, the importance of spaying and neutering, and ways to support animals in need.

Chris started at the SPCA as a volunteer, walking dogs, helping with animal care, and assisting with shelter maintenance. That experience gave him a close-up view of the challenges and successes of animal welfare. He learned that even small actions, such as a walk, a gentle touch, or a visitor’s attention, can make a significant difference in an animal’s life.

His commitment to the community extends beyond the SPCA. Chris is active in the local arts scene, performing in productions with Keyano Theatre, Theatre; Just Because, and Swamp Rat Experience. He also served as Secretary on the Swamp Rat Experience board from 2022 to 2025. These creative outlets complement his work with animals, showing that a strong community is built on care, collaboration, and shared passion.

Chris’s dedication is rooted in a philosophy his family taught him: it takes a village. “No one person can do it all,” he says. “But everyone can do something.” He wants his son, Nathan, to grow up in a community shaped by care, creativity, and compassion. Everything he does, from shelter work to community outreach, contributes to a stronger and more connected region.

Looking ahead, Chris hopes to expand animal services in Fort McMurray and across the region. He is committed to improving shelter operations, outreach programs, and public education initiatives that increase adoptions and enhance animal welfare. Personally, he focuses on being a present father, sharing his love for animals with his son, and inspiring the next generation to care deeply about the world around them.

Chris also writes regularly, contributing to Northword Magazine and running a weekly blog called The CJBuzz, where he shares stories from his life in Fort McMurray and reflections on community, creativity, and compassion. Through writing, advocacy, and hands-on work, he inspires others to take action, volunteer, and recognize the importance of every individual contribution.

For Chris, community involvement is not just volunteering. It is building relationships, educating others, and empowering people to make a difference. Every animal rescued, every family educated, and every story shared is part of creating a region where both people and animals can thrive.

“Anybody can live in a region,” he says. “But community is more than living. It is being part of something bigger than yourself.”