The Cow is a very sacred animal to Hindus. There are numerous instances in our epics and puranas where the cow is regarded very highly. It is equated to one's own mother and said that it should be treated as such.
The Mahabharata says "Cows are the mothers of both the Past and the Future. Every morning, people should bow with reverence unto cows. Cows are sacred. They are the foremost of all things in the world. They are verily the refuge of the universe. They are the mothers of the very deities. They are verily incomparable. Cows are the mothers of the universe. There is no gift more sacred than the gift of cows. There is no gift that produces more blessed merit."
The AVM is actively engaged in protecting cows.