Wednesday marked the official grand opening of the new Screven County Animal Shelter, upgrading to more than three times the space to house animals than was available in the existing shelter, located adjacent to one another on Rocky Ford Road in Sylvania. "We've been waiting several years to get the new shelter built," said County Commissioner J.C. Warren, liaison for public safety. Thomas Lariscy took over as animal control officer in November 2003, at which time, he said he began trying to lobby for a much-needed facility upgrade.