Actress Katherine Heigl is pushing back against critics who questioned her decision to attend a recent animal rescue fundraiser held at President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida. Heigl said the event was focused solely on animal welfare and should not be viewed through a political lens.
The event, titled “Wine, Women & Shoes Benefiting Big Dog Ranch Rescue,” took place Sunday and raised approximately $5.5 million for the Florida-based nonprofit organization, according to a post shared on the group’s Instagram page.
Big Dog Ranch Rescue is one of the largest dog rescue organizations in the United States and focuses on saving dogs from high-kill shelters and placing them in adoptive homes. The fundraiser drew attention online after some critics questioned why the actress attended an event held at Trump’s property.
In a statement provided to Page Six, Heigl defended her participation and emphasized that her involvement was motivated by her long-standing commitment to animal advocacy.
“Animals don’t vote. The only room they don’t like is the euthanasia room at a shelter,” Heigl said. “They are completely at the mercy of us, and they have no voice of their own.”
The actress added that supporting animal rescue efforts has been a deeply personal cause throughout her career.
“This event was about animal advocacy — something that has always been deeply personal to me,” Heigl continued. “Anyone who knows me knows that protecting animals is one of my greatest passions.”
Heigl also stressed that caring for vulnerable animals should not become a politically divisive issue.
“As a society, we should all come together to protect the voiceless and the innocent,” she said. “This should not be a polarizing issue.”
The controversy spilled over into social media, where Heigl personally responded to some of the criticism on Instagram. In one exchange, a commenter questioned her relevance, asking, “Who even is she?”
Heigl responded bluntly, redirecting the focus back to the cause.
“Doesn’t matter. Do you care about animals? If so donate! Time! Money! Attention! Your voice!” she wrote. “It doesn’t matter who I am, only what I do.”
She also encouraged people who may care about other causes to take meaningful action rather than simply criticizing others online.
“Animals might not be your thing but I bet you care deeply about something that matters,” Heigl added. “Do your part! Don’t waste your time scrolling and making comments.”
In recent years, Heigl has stepped back from the Hollywood spotlight. In 2023, she revealed that she relocated to Utah, explaining during an interview on the “Today” show that she wanted a quieter environment away from the pressures of the entertainment industry.
Heigl said the move helped provide a sense of balance after years of working in Los Angeles.
“I think some people are mountain people, and I think some people are beach people,” she said at the time. “I’m sort of a mountain person and have always been that way.”
The actress explained that after starting her career as a teenager in Los Angeles, she eventually realized she needed a place where she could step away from the pace of Hollywood and recharge.
