Construction delayed on Blount Co. animal shelter

Recent wet weather and a lack of cash are causing delays in the project to build a new animal shelter in Blount County.

The Smoky Mountain Animal Care Foundation is partnering with the Blount County Commission to build the shelter.

For now animals are being housed in Loudon County, causing severe overcrowding.

Officials said the rain has delayed construction on the new shelter by about a month, but they said money is needed more than sunshine to move the project forward.

"We're really looking for that one hero out there that understands and has a passion and love for companion animals and in our efforts here in blount co," said Christ Protzman, president of SMACF.

The foundation is asking people to visit their Web site to learn how they can help.

If officials can get the funding, the goal is to have the first phase of construction near completion by the end of March.