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
Mechelle Colby is a third‑generation Arizonian whose life has always centered on compassion, community, and a deep love for animals. Those values became her calling when her own dog, Tucker the Moosetiff, went missing for 22 long days in the desert. The fear, the hope, and the eventual rescue revealed a critical gap in local resources for humane trapping.
After serving as the inaugural Team Leader for HARTT (Humane Animal Rescue & Trapping Team) in Tucson, Mechelle founded Red Collar Rescue & Recovery to ensure families facing the same nightmare would never have to navigate it alone.
Today, she balances her rescue leadership with a 27‑year career in the insurance industry. Life at home is 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 two beloved dogs—Tucker the giant English Mastiff and Winnie the sassy little Corgi, her dedication continues to shape Red Collar’s mission and impact across Southern Arizona.
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 brings more than 30 years of experience across the Aerospace & Defense and Financial Banking industries. She currently serves as an International Supplier Development and Performance Manager within Raytheon’s Supply Chain Management organization.
Her background includes senior roles in banking, including Vice President of Retail Banking at Bank of America, NT & SA, and Assistant Branch Manager at Pima Savings & Loan. She has also taught College Algebra and Leadership courses as an Adjunct Faculty member at Pima Community College and the University of Phoenix.
A long‑time advocate for animal welfare, Sharon has supported organizations such as PETA, Voices for Animals, and SPEAK, where she previously served as a board member. She is also an appointed Board Director for Hughes Federal Credit Union.
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.