Rep. Nancy Mace Introduces PUPPS Act to Shut Down America's Puppy Pipeline to Research Labs

WASHINGTON, D.C. (Sept. 22, 2026) — Today, Congresswoman Nancy Mace introduced the Prohibiting Unethical Procedures on Pets in Science (PUPPS) Act, legislation to shut down America's puppy pipeline to research labs, protect dogs already trapped in the system, and hold violators accountable with tough financial penalties. 

Right now, breeders across the country are intentionally mating dogs, puppies as young as three months old, to supply research facilities with animals for invasive experimentation. A new investigation by the White Coat Waste Project, backed by FOIA records, reveals the staggering scale of this industry. Oak Hill Genetics, the nation's second-largest lab dog supplier, shipped 1,518 hound dogs to 44 U.S. laboratories between January 2025 and June 2026. Many of those labs are still actively receiving NIH funding. This is happening on the American taxpayer's dime. 

"Dogs aren't lab equipment. They're family. Breeding puppies into a life of pain just to stock government research labs isn't science. It's barbaric. We've already taken on Fauci's taxpayer-funded dog experiments and fought to get animals out of federal labs and into loving homes. Now we're shutting down the pipeline for good,” said Congresswoman Mace. “Thanks to White Coat Waste for leading the charge alongside us in this fight. This bill ends the breeding of dogs for research, cuts off the supply to these labs, and gives dogs already trapped behind those walls a second chance through adoption instead of euthanasia. Man's best friend belongs in a loving home, not a lab." 

White Coat Waste Project Founder Anthony Bellotti provided the following statement in support of the PUPPS Act:

“White Coat Waste first uncovered Dr. Fauci’s BeagleGate scandal and led conservatives to the fight against taxpayer-funded animal testing. That’s why White Coat Waste is proud to support Rep. Mace’s PUPPS Act to stop the despicable dog breeding operations we’ve exposed that supply victims to taxpayer-funded labs and to ensure more survivors go from lab dogs to lap dogs,” said Bellotti. “The PUPPS Act also hits close to home for me: I’ve adopted three pets bred in Fauci-funded labs and rescued by White Coat Waste. The solution is simple: Stop the money. Stop the madness!” 

The PUPPS Act amends the Animal Welfare Act to:

• Ban breeding dogs for research purposes, including intentional mating, reproduction, artificial insemination, and embryo implantation.
• Prohibit the commercial distribution of dogs for research, including selling, transporting, brokering, importing, exporting, leasing, transferring, donating, or otherwise providing dogs to research facilities.
• Prohibit knowingly acquiring, receiving, or using any dog bred for research purposes.
• Revoke or deny USDA licenses and registrations for anyone engaged in prohibited activities.
• Impose civil penalties of up to $10,000 per dog, increasing to $40,000 per dog for repeat offenders. Each dog constitutes a separate violation.

Dogs already bred for research when the law takes effect are protected. They cannot be euthanized because of the bill's enactment and instead must be offered for adoption to an individual or animal rescue organization. The Secretary of Agriculture would issue implementing regulations within 180 days of enactment, and the bill's prohibitions would take effect 180 days after enactment.

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