Reindeer Parties; Kitten Saved from Trash Compactor; Tasmanian Devils: All in Calif.

By AUTUMN JOHNSON (Patch Staff)

Animals from all over California made headlines this week.

Oakland Firefighters Honored For Saving Dog’s Life (Video)

• The dog was trapped inside a dog carrier in a burning house. Firefighters rescued and revived the beloved pet.

Kitten Saved From Horrific Death Thanks to Keen Eye of Recycling Plant Worker

• It was not curiosity, but a trash compactor, that almost killed this cat near Sacramento.

WATCH: Reindeer Parties With a Wreath at the San Diego Zoo

• Reindeer get leafy treats as part of San Diego Zoo enrichment program to keep animals healthy.

The Puppy And The Mayor; a Love Story

• The mayor was doing a local television piece, spotted the pup being featured, walked out to the stage to meet the pooch and arranged to take him home.

Giraffes Form a Crew at the SD Zoo

• Baby giraffes frolic at the famous San Diego Zoo.

Toxic Algae Leaving Sea Lions with Brain Damage

• New research from UC Santa Cruz suggests reasons so many sea lions find themselves stranded along the California coastline.

WATCH: Tiger Baby Pounces, Strolls, Noshes in San Diego

• New tiger cub gets let out at the zoo; enjoys its predatory proclivities in a safe environment

Horse, Rider Rescued from Portuguese Bend Reserve

• The horse was stuck in dense brush in the reserve and firefighters had cut the brush to free the animal.

Hotties With Heart Calendar Benefits Horses In Need

• The calendar sold out by Christmas last year. You can get it at locations that include Sonoma, Petaluma and Rohnert Park.

Rare Tasmanian Devils Arrive at LA Zoo

• The arrival of a pair of 3-year-old siblings makes the LA Zoo only the fourth in the nation to house the famed carnivorous marsupials.

Deadly Sea Snake Washes Ashore in Orange County

• A highly venomous yellow-bellied sea snake, typically found congregating by thousands in tropical waters, turned up in Huntington Beach.

Gray Whale Scarred by Exploding Harpoon Visits Coast

• “Scarback,” a female gray whale known for a dramatic scar believed to be caused by an exploding harpoon was spotted off San Clemente coast.

‘This Kitten is a Fighter’: Amazing Rescue of Mangled Stray Found in Bushes

• ‘Holly’ the kitten needs a new home for the holidays after an amazing rescue in Perris. (Warning some graphic photos attached)

More animal stories on Patch:

• Pig on a Highway; Hoarder Rabbits Seized; Squirrel Attack; El Nino May Affect Pets: All in Calif.
• Venomous Sea Snake; Gunman’s Husky Pup Adopted by Cop; Hotel Puppy Rescued: All in Calif.
• Kittens Rescued from Fire; Cow on Couch; Whale Caught in Lobster Line: All in Calif.
• Whale Trapped in Net; Wounded Blue Jay Gets CHP Help; New Home for Bay Bridge Chicken; Fatal Dog Mauling: All in Calif.
• Donations for Burned Dog; ATV Rider Killed in Collision With Horse; National Dog Day; Whale in Estuary: All in Calif.
• Endangered Otter Pups; Skunks Caught in Rat Traps; Multiple Mountain Lion Sightings; Cheetah Birthday: All in Calif.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons from Rare Tasmanian Devils Arrive at LA Zoo