GWINNETT COUNTY, GA — Major upgrades are coming to Gwinnett County’s Bill Atkinson Animal Welfare Center after county commissioners approved another $5.6 million for renovations.

The latest funding is part of the second phase of the project. Commissioners initially approved $4.4 million in SPLOST funding for upgrades to the center, which originally opened in 2007.

“Our project really is about investing into the future of animal welfare in Gwinnett,” Community Services Director Lindsey Jordstad said.

The renovations will include a new animal intake lobby and new triage rooms where animals can be evaluated. Jordstad says the improvements are designed to make intake and adoption operations more efficient and address animal separation needs.

The project will also add new areas where potential adopters can interact with animals, including outdoor pod areas for meeting dogs.

“When potential adopters are coming in we love them to meet and greet with the potential canine, so we have all new spaces on the side of the facility with outdoor pod areas,” Jordstad said.

Cats will also have a free-roaming space where people considering adoption can spend time with them.

“Not necessarily a cat cafe, but these will be free roaming cats in the space for our potential adopters where they can go in and play with the cats,” Jordstad said.

The center sees nearly 20,000 visitors and handles nearly 4,000 adoptions each year. It also helps find and return about 1,500 animals.

WSB Radio’s Ashley Simmons & Keith Cromwell contributed to this story.