The Georgia Department of Agriculture allowed the Paulding County Animal Shelter to reopen Friday after eight weeks of renovation and repairs.

Keith Benton is the new Animal Control Facility manager, Community Development Director Chuck Rann told the Board of Commissioners Tuesday, when two Animal Control staff positions remained to be filled.

“Animal Control is back in business and we’re working on getting everything back in place,” said Rann at the commission’s work session, whose agenda was comprised only of his report and recognition of two county employees.

Rann said the renovations were necessary to mitigate “a large rat infestation that was a health hazard for employees and animals.” He said about 500 dead rats were removed from walls and ceilings, where they had compromised electrical, phone and computer wiring, as well as the air conditioning system. The building was sanitized before repairs began, said Rann.

Unprotected animal food attracted the rats, and Animal Control “has taken measures to secure food,” said Rann. Now food is locked up at night, he said, and mechanical traps are being used rather than just poison traps.

“There’s no way to remove every rodent,” he said, adding that the changes should help keep infestation manageable.

Rann said a variety of county departments helped get the facility at 779 Industrial Blvd. in Dallas operational again. The Department of Transportation cleared and graded behind the building to eliminate rodent refuges, the Water Department worked on the pump and pump station, Information Technology helped get phones and computers operational, and the Finance and Building Maintenance departments contributed as well, he said.

The cost of renovation and repair is just less than $70,000, said Rann.

“It’s night and day for what it used to be eight weeks ago,” he said of the building.

The facility is closed on Wednesdays and is open from noon to 5 p.m. all other days.

Rann said the Marshal’s Bureau and his office “received many calls from concerned citizens,” many of whom “were uninformed or didn’t have all the facts. Any questions about the reorganization, facility and renovations” can be directed to Community Development at 770-443-7601, the Marshal’s Bureau at 770-443-9768 or Benton at 770-445-1511, he said.

Donations of money and food are welcome, said Rann. “We’re open to any type of donation, and the Humane Society needs help.”

He said volunteer help is also needed.