5 Laguna Beach Animal Stories That Warmed Our Hearts In 2019

LAGUNA BEACH, CA — Here are the best stories from 2019 about our animal friends with fur, scales and everything in between in Laguna Beach and around Orange County!

From a beloved dog lost in Laguna Beach, found by new friends at The Ranch, to

Here are 12 of the cutest animal stories from across Orange County in 2019, guaranteed to give you a warm and fuzzy feeling.

Beloved Dog Found In Laguna Beach was Reunited With Owner, Thanks To Ranch At Laguna Beach

Workers at the Ranch at Laguna Beach were interrupted by the sight of a wayward dog on the grounds.

It was apparent that the brindle-colored lab-mix was lost, hungry, and more than a little nervous. Then, they learned from Laguna Beach Patch, how to find its owner.

Rare Sea Turtle Sighting In Laguna Beach:

An endangered sea turtle, known as the Olive Ridley sea turtle, was spotted off Laguna Beach, Capistrano Beach and Salt Creek Beach this year.

They're Baaaa-ck! Fire Goats Flock On Laguna Beach Hillsides

The herd of Laguna Beach's fire prevention goats has grown to 800, according to reports, as compared to 200 in years past.

For the first time, the herd of fire goats brought in to mitigate the brittle brush has quadrupled in size.

Butterfly Crossing In Laguna Beach: 2019's Great Butterfly Migration: , 1 billion painted ladies migrated north, as they traveled to their breeding grounds in Oregon.

In Orange County, residents chatted up their painted lady stories on social media, discussing seeing clouds of butterflies taking off and zipping around from Baker Ranch to Aliso Viejo.

13 Sea Lions Released Back Into The Pacific: Video

On a bright May morning, Laguna Beach's Pacific Marine Mammal Center released a record 13 sea lions back into the ocean. Volunteers and staff lined animal carriers up on the beach, and on the count of three, all doors opened.

The marine mammals, a favorite in South Orange County, all loped their way into the breaking surf.