The Calling Behind Our Mission

Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine I’d one day start a charity that walks alongside families searching for their lost pets and helps abandoned dogs find safety. And I certainly never expected it to become the only 501(c)(3) in Southern Arizona devoted to this kind of work.

In late 2023, when my own dog escaped from a boarding kennel, I spent 22 days walking the vast desert searching for him - exhausted, angry, and heartbroken. I remember how my prayers started from a place of frustration & blame of, how could you let this happen, why can’t I find him, how much more can I take? To prayers of surrender, “what's the lesson you're trying to teach me”, “how can I use this for good?” 

I was tired. I was losing hope. And yet, even in my frustration, God surrounded me with people who showed up with compassion, strength, and relentless determination. A whole community stood behind me, praying, searching, and believing with me. Then that day came.. a community member spotted my dog and he ran. As I walked in the rain in a sandy wash for hours, the footprints began to appear, one after another.  And then, finally, our rescue moment happened. 

Looking back, I realized it wasn’t a lesson at all—it was a door. I had asked God for purpose, and instead of giving me an answer, He placed me right where He needed me—where I could help others, where I could bring people together, where I could serve.

There is something extraordinary about meeting people in one of the most emotional moments of their lives and being able to offer hope. There is something unforgettable about the joy in a dog’s bark when they’re finally safe. There is something powerful about standing shoulder‑to‑shoulder with volunteers who share the same fire and the same calling.

The work this team does is intentional. It’s gritty. It’s fueled by compassion, faith, and relentless determination. Every volunteer gives so much of their time, their heart, and their energy to help families they’ve never met—and they do it with joy.

I’m grateful every single day that I listened to that nudge, walked through that door, and said yes. And I’m inspired beyond words to serve alongside these incredible volunteers who make this mission possible.

This is why we serve.

This is why we show up.

This is why we don’t quit.

Because every dog matters.

Every family matters.

And every rescue is a reminder that hope is never lost.

Mechelle Colby | President/Founder - Red Collar Rescue & Recovery