On October 21, 2005, a Gwinnett County Animal Control Officer was dispatched to a residence in Gwinnett County regarding a stray dog complaint. When the officer arrived at the house he was directed by the resident to the backyard deck where he was surprised to see what appeared to be a wolf. However, the animal did not act wild and allowed the officer to restrain it. The officer removed the wolf from the backyard deck and put him in the back of his truck, although the wolf wasn't happy about it.
The wolf was held for six days at the shelter, but no one came forward to claim him. He quickly became a favorite of the staff and was named Wolfie.
A wolf/hybrid sanctuary in North Carolina agreed to give Wolfie a permanent home. He was vaccinated and tested for parasites before leaving the shelter.
On November 11, 2005, Liz Mahaffey, director of The Wolf Sanctum, drove down from North Carolina to pick up Wolfie and take him to his new home. Liz reported later that Wolfie made the trip home without any problems at all, and that he has taken to the sanctuary feeling right at home.
Wolfie was renamed Eshelokee (Lokee for short) and introduced to a spayed female wolf named Nala. Initially, Lokee was afraid of Nala, but they quickly became buddies. All of the staff at Gwinnett County Animal Control are thrilled that this animal will be well taken care of and spend his life with companionship in a proper enivironment.
