Here’s How Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Found Their Beagle as Pet Passes Away

In 2022, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle made a heartfelt decision to give a loving home to an older beagle named Momma Mia, adopting her from the Beagle Freedom Project (BFP), a rescue organization dedicated to saving dogs from abusive breeding environments. Mia had been rescued from a Virginia breeding facility called Envigo RMS, which was under investigation for serious animal welfare violations.

Shannon Keith, an animal rights lawyer with BFP, spoke highly of the couple, describing them as “the most loving, sensitive, and caring adopters” she’d ever encountered. While there were plenty of puppies available for adoption, Harry and Meghan specifically chose Mia, who was older, had some health issues, and carried the emotional scars of her past abuse.

“They made a point to adopt a rescue named Mia, who most people would overlook because of her age, health struggles, and the trauma she experienced,” Shannon Keith said. Their decision to adopt a dog with special needs deeply impressed everyone involved with the rescue, and they have since kept in touch with the couple to see how Mia is settling into her new home.

Mia was part of a large rescue operation where 4,000 beagles were saved from the Envigo RMS facility. These dogs had been bred for medical research, and when they were found, they were in terrible condition—underfed, injured, and neglected. Thanks to the rescue efforts, these dogs were eventually rehomed all over the country. After being temporarily placed in Maryland, Mia was moved to BFP’s rescue facility in San Fernando Valley, where she met her new family.

The adoption story started when Meghan Markle personally reached out to Shannon Keith to inquire about Mia. “The Duchess called me personally,” Keith remembers. After speaking with Meghan for about 30 minutes, Keith realized she was actually talking to Meghan Markle herself, not just another celebrity. Later, Meghan and Harry, along with their security team, visited the rescue center in California to spend time with Mia, and it was there that they decided to adopt her on the spot.

Meghan expressed, “We want ones we can help who are older,” highlighting their commitment to helping a dog in need, not just choosing a younger, easier pet. Soon after, Momma Mia became an official member of their family, finding the forever home she deserved.

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