Katherine Heigl defends Mar-a-Lago appearance: ‘Animals don’t vote’

Katherine Heigl pushed back after criticism over her appearance Sunday at the Wine, Women & Shoes Benefiting Big Dog Ranch Rescue fundraiser at Mar-a-Lago. The event, co-chaired by Lara Trump, was her first red carpet in two years; inside she posed for photos with Jeanine Pirro, Cesar Millan and others.

She argued that helping animals shouldn’t be a political issue. "Animals don’t vote. The only room they don’t like is the euthanasia room at a shelter," she wrote, adding that animals are at our mercy and have no voice of their own. Protecting animals, she said, has long been deeply personal.

Heigl noted that she and her mother, Nancy, have spent years advocating through the Jason Heigl Foundation, which rescues, heals and rehomes animals while fighting cruelty and overpopulation. She also said the Mar-a-Lago event raised over $5 million for animals in need.

katherine heigl, mar-a-lago, wine women, big dog, lara trump, jeanine pirro, cesar millan, jason heigl, animal rescue, five million