About Red Collar Rescue & Recovery
TUCKER THE MOOSETIFF - mission launcher
Tucker the Moosetiff—the furry overachiever who took “independent study” a little too literally and embarked on a 22‑day solo field trip across the Arizona desert. Through every sunrise and sleepless night, the Vail community became his personal pep squad, cheering, praying and keeping hope alive with the kind of heart you usually only see in feel‑good movies.
And at the center of it all was his family & his mama, Mechelle Colby—Founder, President, and the original force behind Southern Arizona’s premiere humane trapping organization—whose love for one wandering Moosetiff helped shape the mission that now guides every rescue.
Mechelle Colby- President/Founder
A proud third-generation Arizonian, Mechelle Colby, grew up surrounded by the values of compassion and service and a lifelong love for animals—principles that now fuel her mission as the dynamic Founder and President of Red Collar Rescue & Recovery.
After earning her degree in Pennsylvania, Mechelle returned to her desert home with her family, embracing a slower pace of life to focus on what mattered most: raising her children and reconnecting with her community.
When her own dog, Tucker the Moosetiff, went missing for 22 days in the Arizona desert, Mechelle experienced firsthand the fear and helplessness families feel when a pet is lost. With the support of her community, she and her daughter ultimately rescued Tucker using the Shy Dog Protocol—but the journey revealed a critical gap: no local organization specialized in humane trapping for owner‑lost dogs.
Driven to change that, Mechelle served as the inaugural Team Leader for the Tucson division of HARTT (Humane Animal Rescue & Trapping Team), playing a key role in Pima County, Arizona for more than a year and a half. That experience—and the countless families and pets whose lives were touched along the way—ultimately inspired her to establish Red Collar Rescue & Recovery, shaping the mission and heart of the organization as it exists today.
Alongside her rescue efforts, Mechelle maintains a full‑time career in the insurance industry, bringing over 27 years of expertise and serving in a consultative sales support and client stewardship role at one of the nation’s largest property & casualty companies.
Life at home is rich and rewarding, filled with purpose and personality. Her son is a driven collegiate golfer, and her daughter is a creative young entrepreneur and devoted animal lover following in her mother’s compassionate footsteps.
Together with her husband and their three beloved dogs—Tucker the gentle English Mastiff and Winnie the sassy little Corgi—Mechelle’s days are filled with heart, hustle, and a whole lot of tail wags. Mechelle's bold guidance and relentless dedication continue to strengthen Red Collar’s work every day.
Deb Ferns-Board Vice President
Deb Ferns is a retired meeting planner, who is also an author and founder of the Women’s Outdoor Media Association. She is also the President of the Wild Horse Fire Brigade, a 501(c)(3) charitable foundation fighting to save America’s wild horses from extinction! Living near Sahuarita, Arizona, Deb is an avid hiker and always has her two rescue dogs in tow (Mingus/Mastador and Maisie/Plott Hound.) Both dogs and horses have played a huge role in Deb’s life for decades!
We are grateful for Deb’s fierce commitment and the unwavering leadership she brings to our mission.
jillian russell - board Secretary
Jillian is an Arizona native and a graduate of the University of Arizona, where she earned a Bachelor’s Degree of Family Studies and Human Development. While in college, she followed her lifelong passion for animals by interning and working with PetSmart, eventually joining the company’s corporate office in a full-time recruiting role. After graduation, she continued her career in human resources before turning her attention to family life and community involvement.
Today, Jillian is a dedicated stay-at-home mom and an active volunteer in the Vail Unified School District. She has served on several school and district committees, lending her time and leadership to initiatives that strengthen the local school community.
Outside of her volunteer work, Jillian enjoys spending time with her family and staying active outdoors through mountain biking and hiking.
Jillian brings a passionate heart for our mission and a steadfast commitment to helping families reunite with their pets, making her a deeply valued member of our Board.
Sharon Schaum - Board Treasurer
Sharon is a dedicated and accomplished professional with over 30 years’ experience in both the Aerospace and Defense industry and the Financial Banking industry.
Sharon is currently at Raytheon within the Supply Chain Management organization and is currently an International Supplier Development and Performance Manager.
Sharon also has a proven track record of success with various leadership positions throughout her banking tenure, including Vice President of Retail Banking at Bank of America, NT & SA, and Assistant Branch Manager at Pima Savings & Loan. She has also been an Adjunct Faculty member at Pima Community College and the University of Phoenix facilitating both College Algebra and Leadership courses. Over the years, she has been actively involved with various animal organizations to include People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), Voices for Animals, and Supporting and Promoting Ethics in the Animal Kingdom (SPEAK) (Board Member). She is also an appointed Board of Director for Hughes Federal Credit Union.
Sharon is continuing her education towards a PhD in Organizational Leadership (currently ABD). She holds a Master of Business Administration in Organizational Management from Capella University, a Master of Business Administration in Global Management from the University of Phoenix, and a Bachelor of Science in Business Management from the University of Phoenix. We are thankful for Sharon's heart, leadership, and belief in the work we do.
Manny Tellez - Trapping Director
Manny is a proud veteran with six years of service in the United States Marine Corps, including two combat tours in Iraq-participating in the initial push in 2003 and second battle of Fallujah in 2004. After military service, Manny transitioned into community leadership through coaching high school wrestling, little league baseball, flag football and semi-pro football, mentoring young athletes and fostering teamwork and discipline.
Now enjoying the rewards of retirement, Manny remains actively engaged in the community as a dedicated volunteer with the Vail Unified School District.
We’re grateful to have Manny serving as our Trapping Director, where his lifelong commitment to service and his compassion for animals strengthen Red Collar Rescue & Recovery’s mission and the expert trapping work that reunites families with their pets.