Katherine Heigl Reacts To Backlash Over Attending Mar-A-Lago Dog Rescue Event

Katherine Heigl isn’t here for the haters. The “Grey’s Anatomy” alum responded to backlash over her recent attendance at an event held at Donald Trump’s Mar-A-Lago resort in Florida. Heigl posed for photos at the Wine, Women and Shoes annual fundraiser on March 8, a three-day initiative co-chaired by the president’s daughter-in-law Lara Trump. The event is said to have raised $5.5 million for the Big Dog Ranch Rescue organization, which is dedicated to finding safe homes for pups in need. It was the 47-year-old’s first public appearance in two years and some on social media shared heated reaction to the event’s Trump connection, prompting Heigl to defend herself and insist that her involvement was not political. “Animals don’t vote,” she shared in a statement to multiple outlets. “The only room they don’t like is the euthanasia room at a shelter. They are completely at the mercy of us, and they have no voice of their own. This event was about animal advocacy — something that has always been deeply personal to me.” The Emmy winner went on to note that “anyone who knows me knows that protecting animals is one of my greatest passions,” explaining that she and her mother, Nancy, who was by her side at Mar-a-Lago, have been dedicated to the cause for years. “As a society, we should all come together to protect the voiceless and the innocent. This should not be a polarizing issue,” Heigl’s statement concluded. She also hit back at multiple commenters on a Just Jared Instagram post about her attendance at the event, including one who claimed that Heigl’s outfit “screamed Republican” and another who took a swipe at a “Grey’s” storyline that saw her character get cheated on. While Heigl delivered lengthy responses to some of the critics, she kept it brief for others, writing simply “bye” to one. The actress has previously been vocal about her passion for animal rescue, sharing in March 2025 that she’d welcomed three adopted puppies to her household.