BELMONT, N.C. — A Gaston County resident said he will not be opening a no-kill animal shelter after all.
The Gaston Gazette reported that David Morgan said this week that he will not be able to proceed with his plans because he could not get enough financing.
Morgan had said in September 2011 that he would open a no-kill shelter in Belmont to compliment Gaston County's shelter in Dallas, where euthanasia is still practiced when necessary.
He had hoped to open the shelter last summer on about 6 acres of land north of Belmont Abbey College, which objected to a zoning change approved for the shelter.
Morgan had planned two buildings. One would have been a for-profit kennel to temporarily board pets for owners who are on vacation. Money from that operation was to help pay for the no-kill shelter for strays and unwanted pets.
The Gaston County shelter keeps animals at least three days before they are euthanized. Some animals are kept longer if it appears they will be adopted.
Shelter staff and volunteers post updates about the animals at the shelter every day on the county's website and on Facebook. Rescue groups and people who see a pet they want can call and put a temporary euthanasia "hold" on the animal.
Animal Control Administrator Reggie Horton said he's pleased with the progress in recent years to get more dogs and cats into good homes.
"We've been able to realize placement numbers that are just unprecedented," he said.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.