When the Foust family made it out of a fire that destroyed their home on September 5, they were relieved everyone made it out safely. But the family is now one member short, as they look for their dog they say they gave to a volunteer for shelter.
Katy Foust says when she, her mother, and her eight-year-old daughter were displaced, they had to find a temporary home for their pit bull Journey. Foust says she was approached by a Red Cross volunteer who offered to take Journey in.
The Red Cross says it never approves volunteers housing pets, but the offer seemed like a miracle for Foust.
"She said, 'I spoke to my boss, I can foster your dog,'" Foust said. "I said, 'oh my gosh really?'"
Katy says Journey ended up being handed off repeatedly. First, she went to the volunteer's boyfriend, then a nephew, then a cousin. But after Journey was finally ready to be boarded, Foust found out she was gone.
"[The volunteer] never answered and evidently she had an issue with her phone and now the number had been changed," Foust said. "And now she says Journey got loose and ran away, 'and we could not find her.'"
Katy says the news reached her four days after Journey allegedly disappeared around the Red River Apartments near 71st and Riverside. She has since filed a police report, and the Red Cross has opened an investigation.
"The volunteer has been suspended upon further investigation," a representative from the Red Cross told 2 Works for You.
"Just take her to the nearest vet," Foust said. "Just take her to an animal shelter, no questions asked, it's fine. Let her be scanned and [my daughter] Cameryn can have her Journey back."
Foust says she does not blame the Red Cross at all. In fact, she says the organization has been a huge help every step of the way, from providing resources after she lost her home to helping in the search for her dog.
A representative from the Red Cross told 2 Works for You, "the Red Cross will continue to support the family as we work to reunite their entire family - pets included!"
