Buck + Doe Terminology

In the rabbit community, you’ll often see people refer to their males as “bucks” and females as “does.”

We refrain from using these terms, as they’re typically reserved for both meat bunnies and breeders. It’s a word that is often used to depersonalize bunnies, so that it’s easier for breeders and butchers to run their businesses.

3 of my 4 bunnies were intended to be used as meat. Elvis, Dolly, and Kenny. Elvis was just a random “buck” at a rural petting zoo slated to be culled at the end of the season for food - I just happened to stumble across him in college. Dolly was a meat breeder for least 6 years - she was called “Rabbit” or “Doe” for her entire life prior to rescue. And Kenny Rogers was being given away for free as “ready to eat” buck outside of a farm store, before his first family took him.

If you’ve had the joy of knowing a bunny, you’ll have noticed how large their personalities are. They’re just like cats and dogs - furry family members. We believe in giving every bunny their own unique name because every single bunny is unique. “Buck” and “doe” aren’t unique though - they’re depersonalization tools.

So if you truly value your bunny, please join us by refusing to refer to them as merely a “buck” or a “doe.”

This is a picture of Elvis. He is more than what he can produce. He’s more than fur, meat, and babies. He’s more than a buck. He’s Elvis.