Katherine Heigl Attends Mar-a-Lago Animal Charity Gala

Katherine Heigl, the actress known for her role on Grey's Anatomy, made a rare public appearance at a charity fundraiser held at President Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida, on Sunday, drawing online criticism for the venue's political ties but defending her attendance as a commitment to animal welfare.

The event, the annual Wine, Women & Shoes gala benefiting Big Dog Ranch Rescue, Florida's largest no-kill dog shelter, raised more than $5 million to support animal rescue and adoption efforts. Co-chaired by Lara Trump, the president's daughter-in-law, the gathering featured celebrities, fashion designers and animal advocates. Heigl, 47, attended with her mother, Nancy, and posed for photos with dog trainer Cesar Millan and former Fox News host Jeanine Pirro. Dressed in a colorful floral knee-length gown paired with a yellow Chanel purse and blue heels, Heigl held puppies during the photo session, marking her first red carpet outing in two years.

Heigl quickly addressed the backlash on social media, emphasizing that her participation was driven by passion for animals, not politics. In a statement shared with media outlets, she said, "Animals don't vote. The...