Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have a new addition to their family!

Per an article originally published in the LA Times we learn that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have expanded their family with the addition of a new 4-legged friend. The couple have adopted a 7-year old Beagle named Mia through the non-profit called the Beagle Freedom Project based in San Fernando, California.

Mia was part of a group of 4,000 Beagles rescued by US federal authorities from the Envigo breeding and research plant in Virginia. US authorities have described conditions at Envigo "as a house of horrors" with the dogs there being euthanized or left for dead, and with allegations that staff mistreated the animals and violated the Animal Welfare Act.

Envigo, the second-largest producer of dogs for medical research, breeds roughly 25% of the Beagles used in medical and drug research in the U.S. After a lawsuit was filed against Envigo the company agreed to release the 4,000 beagles from the plant and shut down operations. The federal government and the company transferred the dogs to the Humane Society of the United States, with the dogs then moved to shelters around America including approximately 25 dogs to the Beagle Freedom Project which places the dogs in foster homes for rehabilitation before finding their forever homes.

Per the LA Times article, Meghan called the kennel owner Shannon Keith personally after Meghan heard about the story. Meghan and Harry then travelled to meet and play with the rescue dog 'Mia', who had been transported to Beagle Freedom Project alone with her 8 puppies. Harry and Meghan told Ms. Keith that they did not want to rescue a puppy, but rather were interested to help by housing an older dog. 

Mia and one of her pups

Mia left with Harry and Meghan on the day of their visit, with Harry ensuring that Mia could take one of her favourite toys along with them, to reassure Mia on the family's journey back to Montecito. Mia's puppies are in the process of being adopted into their forever homes.