Congresswoman Nancy Mace announced on Apr. 25 the filing of an amendment to the Farm Bill that would require federal research facilities to set standards for adopting or relocating animals no longer needed for research.
The proposed measure, known as Violet’s Law, is named after a hound rescued from a taxpayer-funded laboratory. It aims to ensure that federal agencies prioritize adoption or relocation of retired research animals into private homes, animal rescues, or reputable sanctuaries 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, Executive Director of Kindness Ranch Animal Sanctuary said: “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… We are proof that it can be done and eagerly stand ready to assist in the process.”
According to official congressional records, Nancy Mace currently represents South Carolina’s 1st district in Congress after replacing Joe Cunningham in 2021.
Mace has served as U.S Representative since 2021 following her term in the South Carolina House of Representatives from 2018-2020 according to Ballotpedia.
She was born in Fort Bragg in 1977 and now lives in Charleston according to SC Encyclopedia. She graduated from The Citadel with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1999 according to The Citadel.
If enacted into law through this Farm Bill amendment, eligible species such as dogs, cats, nonhuman primates, guinea pigs, hamsters and rabbits could be adopted out or placed with rescue organizations or individuals once they receive veterinary clearance within ten days prior release.
