A Cow's Immense Desire To Live Pays Off In A Remarkable Rescue

NEW BRITAIN, CT — For three weeks a mysterious cow proved to be elusive in New Britain but that ended today. Mayor Erin Stewart‏ shared the news on social media saying, "The cow has been rescued and is being MOoved out of state! #moobritain thank you @FarmSanctuary."

The cow had been wandering through town since Dec. 31, and a statement from Farm Sanctuary shares amazing new details about how the cow was rescued.

"Thanks to the compassion of the Mayor, city officials and local residents—and the expert help of Farm Sanctuary, America’s premier farm animal sanctuary and advocacy organization—a young cow who has been sighted on the loose in New Britain, Conn., since New Year’s Eve—braving sub-zero temperatures, evading capture, and harsh conditions—has been safely rescued."

"After receiving medical care at Cornell University’s Nemo Farm Animal Hospital, he will be transported to Farm Sanctuary’s 300+-acre sanctuary in Watkins Glen, NY, where he will enjoy warm barns, fresh feed and hay, companionship among other rescued cattle, and a lifetime of individualized care and affection."

Adventures Of Finn

"The cow, named Finn in honor of Mark Twain’s Conn.-penned classic The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, as far as we know, was originally purchased at a livestock auction by a local man planning to take the frightened animal to a special butcher."

"But Finn, like his namesake, had an appetite for adventure and a strong desire to live. He made a dash for freedom as he was being transferred from the man’s van to his garage."

"On New Year’s Eve, Mayor Erin Stewart took to Twitter to announce that there was a cow on the loose in the city, hiding on wooded property owned by the New Britain Water Department. Hungry, cold, and alone, Finn battled freezing temperatures and icy rain, occasionally thrilling locals with midnight strolls through their backyard and inspiring Mayor Stewart to coin the hashtag #MooBritain."

A Plan To Save Finn

"Fortunately, New Britain local Mark Bailey alerted Farm Sanctuary member Jennifer Wynn, who knew exactly who to call. No stranger to “cow on the loose” rescues, Farm Sanctuary worked with Wynn and the Mayor’s Office to devise a plan. They’d set up a feeding station, which was replenished daily and monitored with a trail camera. It wasn’t long before Finn appeared on the camera hungrily scarfing down the food and, to Wynn’s delight, was even waiting for her at the feeding station for his next food delivery."

"On Wednesday, with support from the Mayor’s Office who negotiated Finn’s surrender from his original “owner,” rescuers from Farm Sanctuary loaded the brave animal into a temperature-controlled trailer to make the journey home from New Britain to Watkins Glen, NY."

“Cows, just like humans and all other animals, have a strong desire to live and enjoy their one time on this planet,” said Farm Sanctuary National Shelter Director Susie Coston. “We’re deeply grateful to Mayor Stewart, Paula Poplawski, Jennifer Wynn, and all of the compassionate people of New Britain who joined forces to bring Finn to safety.”

Founded in 1986, Farm Sanctuary works to change how our society views and treats farm animals through rescue, education, and advocacy. To learn more about Farm Sanctuary, visit farmsanctuary.org.

Photo via Farm Sanctuary

Stewart first shared the news about the cow being on the loose on Dec. 31.

At the time, she quipped.