Katherine Heigl Defends Appearance at Mar-a-Lago Animal Rescue Event

"Animals don't vote," the actress said in response to criticism over her attendance at the fundraiser.

Mar. 12, 2026 at 9:51am

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Katherine Heigl is defending her appearance at the Wine, Women & Shoes annual fundraiser, held at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida on March 8. Heigl, a vocal advocate for animal welfare, said "Animals don't vote. They have no voice of their own" in response to criticism over her attendance at the event hosted at Donald Trump's resort.

Why it matters

Heigl's appearance at the Mar-a-Lago event sparked some online backlash, with critics suggesting she should have supported a different animal rescue organization. However, Heigl defended her decision, stating that her focus is on advocating for animals and that this should not be a polarizing issue.

The details

The three-day event raised $5.5 million for Big Dog Ranch Rescue, the largest no-kill dog rescue in the United States. Heigl, who is the proud owner of rescue animals, has long been a vocal advocate for animals and has previously advocated for the Utah State legislature to pass a bill that would end the use of gas chambers as a means of euthanizing shelter animals.

  • The Wine, Women & Shoes annual fundraiser was held on March 8, 2026.
  • Heigl's appearance at the event marked her first red carpet appearance in two years.

The players

Katherine Heigl

A 47-year-old actress who is a vocal advocate for animal welfare and the co-founder of the Jason Heigl Foundation, which advocates for animal protection.

Big Dog Ranch Rescue

The largest no-kill dog rescue in the United States, which was the beneficiary of the Wine, Women & Shoes fundraiser held at Mar-a-Lago.

Lauree Simmons

The founder of Big Dog Ranch Rescue, who said the fundraising weekend was a "heartwarming display of community spirit, uniting style enthusiasts and animal advocates for a truly monumental cause."

Donald Trump

The former president of the United States, whose Mar-a-Lago resort hosted the Wine, Women & Shoes fundraiser.

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What they’re saying

“Animals don't vote. They have no voice of their own.”

— Katherine Heigl, Actress (JustJared)

“This event was about animal advocacy — something that has always been deeply personal to me. Anyone who knows me knows that protecting animals is one of my greatest passions.”

— Katherine Heigl, Actress (JustJared)

“This year was a record-breaking success and boosted awareness for Big Dog Ranch Rescue. It was a heartwarming display of community spirit, uniting style enthusiasts and animal advocates for a truly monumental cause.”

— Lauree Simmons, Founder, Big Dog Ranch Rescue (People)

What’s next

The organizers of the Wine, Women & Shoes fundraiser said the event raised $5.5 million for Big Dog Ranch Rescue, which they described as a "record-breaking success" that boosted awareness for the animal rescue organization.

The takeaway

This case highlights the complexities and challenges of advocating for animal welfare, as Heigl's appearance at a Mar-a-Lago event sparked criticism despite her long-standing commitment to protecting animals. It underscores the need for open dialogue and a focus on the shared goal of improving the lives of animals, rather than getting caught up in political divisions.