Pig on a Highway; Hoarder Rabbits Seized; Squirrel Attack; Monster Shark Caught: All in Calif.

By AUTUMN JOHNSON (Patch Staff)

Animals from all over California made headlines this week.

Did Anyone Lose a Pig in Sonoma County?

• The CHP found a pig wandering along the highway.

Rare White Rhino’s Remains to be Donated to Smithsonian

• One of the last remaining white rhinos in the world had to be euthanized

Hoarder Rabbits Seized in East County; Some May be Adopted

• The rabbit owner was overwhelmed with the critters and voluntarily gave them up for rescue

Nutty Squirrel Attacking People, Including at Elementary School

• The Marin Humane Society believes the squirrel has been fed by humans and has lost its fear of people.

Solano Sheriff’s Deputies Mourn Agency’s First Canine

• King, the first canine to join the Solano County Sheriff’s Office has passed away. He served the agency for 10 years before retiring in 2009.

No Tall Tales Here, Pair Caught Monster Fish Off Santa Cruz

• The two friends from Milpitas were fishing off Davenport when they caught a nearly 13-foot thresher shark.

VIDEO: El Nino Affects Pets Too; Keep Them Safe

• Here are a few tips to calm your pets and keep them safe during the storms expected in the region this winter.

Increasing Shark Encounters Might Not Be A Fluke

• Shark scares triggered California beach closures throughout the summer, but the encounters may have been more than a fluke of El Niño.

Crews Pull Out All the Stops to Save Adorable Black Kitty

• The kitty’s new name? Piper.

LAPD Prepare Gifts That Elephants, Camels Deliver

• “Operation Christmas Child” is back in business; bring gift donations to area police stations listed below.

Grace is Named For Her Grace, Even in Pain

• Someone tied a rubber band tightly around her muzzle, injuring her; with treatment from various agencies, she is healing.

WATCH: Unruly No More, a Meerkat Mob Is Target Trained

• San Diego Zoo Safari Park released a video.

Humane Society in North County San Diego Gets 19 Tons of Pet Food

• The Rancho Coastal Humane Society will be accepting the pet food donation Wednesday; Thursday it will distribute the food to rescue organizations.

OC Teen Fights Off Great White

• A great white shark repeatedly charged a San Clemente teen, The Orange County Register reports.

More animal stories on Patch:

• 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 courtesy of David Woodward from No Tall Tales Here, Pair Caught Monster Fish Off Santa Cruz