Congresswoman Nancy Mace filed an amendment to the Farm Bill on Apr. 25, 2026, that would require federal research facilities to set standards for adopting or relocating animals no longer needed for research.
The amendment is based on Violet’s Law, named after a hound rescued from a government lab. The proposed measure directs federal agencies to prioritize finding homes or sanctuaries for these animals instead of euthanizing them.
“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 White Coat Waste, said: “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… Taxpayers bought these animals and Rep. Mace’s Violet’s Law amendment to the Farm Bill will ensure Uncle Sam gives them back.”
John Ramer of Kindness Ranch Animal Sanctuary also voiced support: “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.
The proposed changes would amend the Animal Welfare Act by requiring any federal agency operating a research facility to create standards supporting adoption or placement of eligible retired laboratory dogs, cats, nonhuman primates, guinea pigs, hamsters or rabbits; allow placement with rescues or individuals; require veterinary certification before release; and give agencies one year from enactment for compliance.
Mace currently serves in U.S Congress representing South Carolina’s 1st district after replacing Joe Cunningham in 2021 according to her congressional biography. She has served in this role since 2021 following previous service in the South Carolina House of Representatives from 2018 through 2020 as reported by state records. Born in Fort Bragg in 1977 and now living in Charleston according to The New York Times, she graduated from The Citadel with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1999.
