Rep. Nancy Mace Files Farm Bill Amendment To Rescue Retired Research Animals

WASHINGTON, D.C. (Apr. 25, 2026) - Congresswoman Nancy Mace (R-SC) filed an amendment to the Farm Bill, based on her Violet's Law, to require federal research facilities to establish standards for the adoption or non-laboratory placement of animals no longer needed for research.

Named after a hound rescued from a taxpayer-funded lab, Violet's Law requires federal agencies to prioritize adoption or relocation of retired research animals to private homes, animal rescues, or reputable sanctuaries over euthanasia.

"Taxpayers are funding federal labs to experiment on animals, and when the research ends, those same labs put them down instead of finding them a home. Zero justification. Zero excuse," said Congresswoman Mace. "These animals should be given a second chance at life. A healthy animal deserves a home, not a death sentence. This amendment requires federal agencies to make sure they get one."

Justin Goodman, Senior Vice President at animal testing watchdog White Coat Waste, provided the following statement in support of the amendment:

"Rep. Mace's bipartisan Violet's Law amendment to retire and rehome animal lab survivors is more important than ever given the tremendous progress White Coat Waste is making with the Congresswoman to cut wasteful government spending on animal testing. Violet's Law, named after a hound rescued from a lab by White Coat Waste, helps ensure that government lab survivors are retired and sent to loving homes and sanctuaries, not senselessly killed. In recent years, White Coat Waste secured the rescue of dozens of cats, dogs, rabbits, and primates from federal labs and got agencies including the NIH, FDA, VA and Pentagon to enact their first-ever lab animal retirement policies. Violet's Law would make lab animal adoption an option across all government agencies. Taxpayers bought these animals and Rep. Mace's Violet's Law amendment to the Farm Bill will ensure Uncle Sam gives them back," said Goodman.

John Ramer, Executive Director of Kindness Ranch Animal Sanctuary, also provided a statement in support of the amendment:

"As the nation's largest and most successful sanctuary for research animals-having successfully placed thousands of cats, dogs, and other animals into loving homes-we applaud Rep. Mace for introducing a Farm Bill amendment to make lab animal retirement a standard policy in all government labs," said Ramer. "We are proof that it can be done and eagerly stand ready to assist in the process."

Rep. Mace's amendment amends the Animal Welfare Act to:

• Require any federal department, agency, or instrumentality operating a research facility to promulgate standards facilitating the adoption or non-laboratory placement of eligible animals no longer needed for research
• Define eligible animals as dogs, cats, nonhuman primates, guinea pigs, hamsters, and rabbits
• Allow placement with animal rescue organizations, animal sanctuaries, animal shelters, or individuals
• Require a veterinary certificate issued within ten days of release confirming the animal is free of infectious disease or physical abnormality before placement
• Give federal agencies one year from enactment to establish the required standards

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