Mabel’s legendary rescue sparked a lot of conversation, inspiring songs, Halloween costumes, and a whole neighborhood of folks to come together in service of helping one lost calf find her way to safety. Above all else, WHS hopes Mabel’s story inspires greater kindness, compassion, and respect for all animals, big and small.

“A lot of people see cows as just that: Cows. Cattle. One of a herd who are all the same. But Mabel's story is one of survival, endurance, and adaptability,” Kami said. “I can only imagine how scary it was for her to be loose, all alone, literally in the middle of a city! She found food and water, she evaded capture, she crossed roads, she found shelter, she avoided other animal attacks—all at an age where she should have probably still been with her mama. To come through all of that and still be as trusting and sweet as she is, it's pretty amazing. I hope people will realize how individual each animal is and how the need for survival kicks in during stressful times. Cows want to live their best life, too.”

Read the full story at Whatcom Human Society.