Animal Control Division gets new manager

Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson announced Wednesday that Robert Gatt has been promoted to manager of Animal Control Division which oversees the Oakland Pet Adoption Center in Auburn Hills. Gatt succeeds Lawrence Obrecht who retired after nine years of service. A resident and current mayor of Novi, Gatt has served as chief of field operations for Oakland County's Community Corrections Division since 2002. He began his career in law enforcement in 1975 as a patrol officer for the Novi Police Department. In 1988, Gatt was promoted to detective of the crime prevention unit. He attained the rank of sergeant in 1993 and supervised the Novi Police Department's Patrol Division. Prior to being elected mayor of Novi in 2011, Gatt served two four-year terms on the Novi City Council beginning in 2003. "We interviewed 24 people for the manager's position and Bob was by far the most qualified candidate for the job," said Mike Zehnder, director of Oakland County Public Services whose department oversees Animal Control Division. Gatt received his bachelor of science degree in business administration from Wayne State University and his master's degree in interdisciplinary technology from Eastern Michigan University. "Larry Obrecht set the bar high as manager of the shelter," Gatt said. "I hope to continue his standard of excellence and work closely with the talented and dedicated staff at the shelter to build upon the strong foundation Larry has established." The Oakland Pet Adoption Center is the largest public shelter in Oakland County with nearly 6,500 animals taken in on an annual basis. Since 1980, it has provided loving care and compassionate treatment for literally thousands of stray dogs and cats. Its mission is to reunite lost pets with their owners and pair adoptable dogs and cats with owners who will provide a warm and nurturing home environment. The Center educates residents about how to be responsible pet owners. For additional information, go to OakGov.com/PetAdoption. Published: Fri, Jan 4, 2013