Our story
Save The Buns, Inc. was born from one woman’s determination to change the fate of rabbits used in research. For 2.5 years, Mallory Cormier worked in a pharmaceutical rabbit breeding facility, caring for rabbits while advocating for better welfare—hay, enrichment, improved housing, and adoption opportunities.
What left the deepest mark was seeing how rabbits—and countless other animals across the research industry—were treated not as sentient beings, but as objects to be used and discarded. The emotional weight of caring for creatures with personalities, curiosity, and feelings while watching them confined, stressed, and often euthanized was profound—for both the animals and the people working with them.
Mallory Cormier with Ginger, a rabbit who was welcomed by Save The Buns, Inc. from a laboratory where she had been intended for a cardiology study. Ginger wasn’t needed for the research due to her genetic makeup, and instead of facing euthanasia, Save The Buns was contacted to give her a second chance. She now enjoys life at a sanctuary in New York State, Woodstock Farm Sanctuary and has been renamed, Donna.
A few years after leaving the lab, Mallory was able to adopt a former laboratory rabbit named Chickpea, who was otherwise destined for euthanasia. Chickpea’s spunky, expressive personality revealed the true potential of rabbits when given proper care, attention, and a chance at a home. For the first time, Mallory realized that rehabilitation was not only possible—it could work on a larger scale. If one rabbit could thrive outside the lab, why not many? Chickpea inspired the vision for Save The Buns: creating pathways to rescue, rehabilitate, and rehome laboratory rabbits while partnering with laboratory facilities to give more rabbits the chance at life outside of a lab.
A photo from the lab we worked in—Sophonie with one of her favorite rabbits, Buddy.
Although his official identification was a number tattooed in his ear, Sophie named him “Buddy.” He was a breeding male who knew his name, loved being pet, and was known for adding a bit of chaos by tossing his food hopper onto the ground. When Sophie moved on in her career, the lab gave permission for this photo to be taken as a parting gift for her.
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Captured on day one: Chickpea chomping away on his first salad outside the lab.
As the organization grew, Mallory reached out to former colleagues from the same rabbit lab—people who understood the emotional and ethical toll of the work. Kelly Brassard, Katrina Letourneau, and Sophonie Omeler-Fenaud joined the Board of Directors, bringing compassion, insight, and commitment to improving outcomes for rabbits both inside and outside the lab.
Today, Save The Buns rescues, rehabilitates, and rehomes rabbits from laboratory settings while advocating for humane practices and raising awareness of the emotional impact of animal testing. Every rabbit deserves dignity, compassion, and a life beyond the lab—and every effort we make is in their honor.
Our goals:
Compassionate Transition Pathways for Laboratory Rabbits
Through collaboration with research institutions, we help facilitate adoption or long-term care for rabbits transitioning out of research and testing environments.
Expand our Bun Club
The Bun Club is a confidential partnership with laboratory animal facilities that notify us when rabbits are available for adoption, allowing us to provide sanctuary or adoption as a humane alternative to euthanasia.
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Create a Bun Haven
Make a dream a reality by building a sanctuary for rabbits who are waiting to be adopted or have found the sanctuary to be their forever home.
Educate & outreach
We provide educational resources and encourage dialogue on how laboratory animal care and research methods can be refined to support both animal welfare and scientific outcomes.
Innovative research without animals
We support approaches that minimize or replace animal use while maintaining rigorous scientific standards.
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Support veganism & cruelty-free products
Drive the market towards compassion by supporting local vegan businesses who are making a difference for the environment, health, and, of course, the animals.
Meet the Team
Mallory Cormier, CVT.
Founder & Executive Director
Mallory Cormier is a Certified Veterinary Technician with a bachelor's degree in Animal Science and over a decade of experience in the veterinary field. After working in a pharmaceutical rabbit breeding facility, she was inspired to found Save The Buns, Inc., a nonprofit dedicated to helping rabbits used in animal testing find adoptive homes or lifelong sanctuary.
As the organization's founder and executive director, Mallory focuses on building partnerships with laboratories to promote adoption over euthanasia. Mallory also co-founded Justify, a nonprofit that supports animal lab workers and encourages ethical advocacy within the scientific community.
A committed vegan and lifelong animal advocate, she is passionate about creating a more compassionate world for all animals through education, outreach, and meaningful action.
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