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 & Trapping director
Mechelle Colby is a third-generation Arizonian whose life has always been rooted in compassion, community, and a deep love for animals.
In late 2023, those values became a calling when her own dog, Tucker the Moosetiff, went missing in the Southern Arizona desert for 22 long days. The experience brought fear, exhaustion, heartbreak—and ultimately an incredible rescue. It also revealed something Mechelle couldn't ignore: a critical gap in local resources for humane, strategic dog recovery.
After serving as the inaugural Team Leader for HARTT (Humane Animal Rescue & Trapping Team) in Tucson, Mechelle founded Red Collar Rescue & Recovery with a simple belief: no family searching for a lost dog should have to face that journey alone, and no abandoned dog in danger should be left without a chance at safety.
Mechelle brings more than compassion to the mission. She draws on 27 years of experience with a Fortune 500 insurance company, along with a successful real estate career, bringing leadership, strategy, problem-solving, and entrepreneurial experience to the organization she founded.
But at the heart of it all is family.
Mechelle and her husband share their home with Tucker, the giant English Mastiff who started this journey, and Winnie, their sassy Corgi. Their son is a driven collegiate golfer, while their daughter is a creative young entrepreneur and devoted animal lover who shares her mother's passion for helping others.
What began as one family's desperate search has grown into a mission to help countless others.
Deb Ferns-Board Vice President
Deb Ferns brings a lifetime of leadership, advocacy, and a deep passion for animals and the outdoors to Red Collar Rescue & Recovery.
A retired meeting planner, author, and entrepreneur, Deb is the founder of Babes with Bullets, an all-female firearms academy, and the Women’s Outdoor Media Association, which is dedicated to encouraging women to pursue outdoor endeavors including shooting sports, archery, fishing, and hunting.
She also serves as President of the Wild Horse Fire Brigade, a 501(c)(3) charitable foundation dedicated to protecting America's wild horses and helping preserve their future.
Deb is an avid hiker and rarely hits the trail without her two rescue dogs, Mingus, a Mastador, and Maisie, a Plott Hound, by her side. Dogs and horses have been an important part of Deb's life for decades, making her commitment to Red Collar's mission deeply personal.
We are incredibly grateful for Deb's fierce determination, wealth of experience, and unwavering leadership. She brings the kind of energy, advocacy, and commitment that makes a difference—not only for the dogs we work to save, but for the families and communities we serve.
Jillian Russell - Board Secretary
Jillian is an Arizona native and University of Arizona graduate with a Bachelor’s degree in Family Studies and Human Development. Her lifelong love of animals led her to intern and work with PetSmart while in college, eventually joining the company’s corporate office in a full-time recruiting role. She went on to build a career in human resources before choosing to focus on raising her family and giving back to her community.
Today, Jillian is a dedicated stay-at-home mom and an active volunteer with the Vail Unified School District, where she has served on several school and district committees. Through these roles, she has contributed her time, leadership, and organizational skills to initiatives that strengthen the local community and support local families.
When she’s not volunteering, Jillian enjoys time with her family and embracing the Arizona outdoors through mountain biking and hiking.
Jillian brings compassion, dedication, and a genuine heart for both people and animals to Red Collar. Her commitment to helping families reunite with their beloved pets makes her a valued member of our Board and a meaningful part of our mission.
Sharon Schaum - Board Treasurer
Sharon brings more than 30 years of leadership 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 career includes leadership roles with Bank of America and Pima Savings & Loan, along with experience as an Adjunct Faculty member at Pima Community College and the University of Phoenix, where she taught College Algebra and Leadership.
A longtime advocate for animal welfare, Sharon has supported organizations including PETA, Voices for Animals, and SPEAK, where she previously served on the board. She also serves as an appointed Board Director for Hughes Federal Credit Union.
Sharon brings a unique combination of leadership, experience, compassion, and a deep commitment to animal welfare to Red Collar. We are grateful to have her on our team.