MOUNT OLIVE — A Morris County animal shelter is trying to open an expanded, no-kill shelter for dogs on "death row" due to overcrowding at other shelters.

The main obstacle in the way? The $1 million cost to build the facility.

Volunteer Roger Keyser told NJ.com that Eleventh Hour Rescue, a no-kill shelter located in Randolph, is hoping to expand its operations by moving out of the facility it currently rents — which he described as "dilapidated" — to a proposed facility that would be constructed on land owned by the organization in Budd Lake.

According to a statement on the group's website,"Eleventh Hour Rescue is a volunteer-based, non-profit, 501c3 organization that literally saves dogs and cats from death row."

The shelter saves dogs — and some cats — that would otherwise be euthanized at overcrowded shelters across the United States, and provides them with medical care, training and a temporary home until they're ready for adoption, Keyser said.

It's estimated that between 3- to 4-million animals are euthanized every year at shelters in the United States, according to the Humane Society of the United States.

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"These pets are getting put down, and a lot of them are fabulous dogs," Keyser said. "Some have medical issues or behavioral issues, but many are just homeless. So we step in at the eleventh hour."

As was the case for Barrett, one of the dogs saved from euthanasia by the group. After his owner dropped him off at an out-of-state shelter, Barrett developed "a very nasty skin infection" at that shelter, requiring treatment involving "medicated baths, skin creams, good nutrition and numerous vet appointments to help relieve his discomfort," according to a note from the shelter.

"That medical care is still in progress today," according to a note from the shelter. "There are two pictures of him, and usually the 'before' picture is worse that the 'today' picture, but that is not the case with Barrett at this time. However, we are confident that we can restore Barrett'ÂÂs beautiful coat and silky smooth fur back to his previous glory. Thanks to the dedicated team of volunteers and medical staff that have taken Barrett under their care to give him the best chance for a full and speedy recovery."

Keyser said the group's fundraising campaign, Building Hope, seeks to build a larger, state-of-the-art facility that provides temporary and long-term shelter and care for the animals.

"Peeling paint, rotting wood, cracks in the floor, broken fencing and dogs barking at you from every angle," according to a note on the campaign's website. "To say that this is no place for a scared, abused, neglected animal to finally feel at peace, safe, and on their way to good health and a forever home would be a major understatement."

When completed, more than 70 dogs will be housed in the new facility while they await adoption, he said.

Keyser said the campaign was still in its infancy, and that not much had been raised.

"We're currently desperate," he said.

Besides the Randolph facility, the rescue shelter also operates a foster-family program for about 100 to 150 dogs, and an enhanced adoption center at the PetSmart located at the Mount Olive mall, Keyser said.

More information about Eleventh Hour Rescue is available on the shelter's website or by calling at 973-664-0865.