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GREENSBORO, N.C. — County officials, overseeing the county animal shelter, told commissioners Thursday they discovered around 2,000 animals unaccounted for when they took over last year.

Commissioners were briefed on the state of the shelter during their yearly retreat by Deputy County Manager Clarence Grier who's been overseeing the shelter since the county took control from the United Animal Coalition. The UAC group was accused of lengthy abuse and neglect.

"When we first took over there were 808 [animals] at the shelter,” said Grier. "2,000 animals listed in the system we don't know whereabouts."

Grier says the adoption rate is up 50% and volunteers are pouring in since the county reopened the shelter on October 1st.

The shelter is now on Facebook promoting adoptable animals and updating the intake and exit of each animal monthly on the shelter's website.

The county has hired a new shelter director and veterinarian that will start on Monday, February 8th.

"Right now we are finding it's hard to operate the shelter," said Grier. "The first building was built in the 50s and the most recent building that we use a lot was built in 1992."

Commissioners are looking at building a new 300-animal facility either on the same property or other county land.

Grier said other improvements that are in the works include lifting the ban on breeds like Pit Bulls, Chows and Rottweilers.

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