I found more on the rabies ordinance in Gaston County:
If the animal has no tag proving a current rabies vaccination that is more than one year old, Gaston County Animal Control can not put the animal up for adoption. Gaston Humane Society Gaston County started requiring proof of rabies vaccinations in 1999.
Animals can't be adopted out unless there's proof they've been protected against rabies for at least a year. The tough rules are in response to rabies outbreaks in the late
1990s. That means strays can't be adopted.
Officials think they have ample reasons for their no rabies vaccination-no adoption policy: protecting public health, and county liability if a former shelter animal comes down with rabies. Animal Shelter News | North Carolina