Gold shovels scooped heaps of Georgia clay out of the ground Wednesday in a ceremonial start to construction on what aspires to be the state’s best public animal shelter.“We will stand second to none in the counties surrounding us in this animal shelter,” said Pete Amos, chairman of the Forsyth County commission.“The citizens of this county will have the kind of animal shelter that they can be proud of. It’s because of the community’s support that we are able to be here today.”The 13,700-square-foot facility was a project approved as part of a November 2011 referendum to extend the 1-cent sales tax. Its expected completion is in early 2014, with the total project cost at about $3 million.The building on County Way off of Ga. 400 in north Forsyth will replace the current shelter on Old Atlanta Road, which has been operated through a public-private partnership with Lanier and Annette Orr since the early 1980s.Lanier Orr said he thinks the new shelter is a “perfect location” and he’s excited to see it completed.“We’re ready for it and we deserve it,” he said.The county’s needs have outgrown the facility and the Orrs are looking forward to stepping down.“A simple thank you is nowhere near enough to express the county’s appreciation for their services throughout the years,” Amos said.