Katherine Heigl has defended her attendance at a charity event at Mar-a-Lago, where she was one of hundreds attending the 2026 edition of Wine, Women & Shoes, an annual fundraiser for Florida's Big Dog Ranch Rescue, the nation's largest no-kill dog shelter. The event was held at the 17-acre estate that serves as Trump's primary residence and hosts numerous events. Heigl stated that the event was about animal advocacy, which she believes is one of her greatest passions. The gala, co-chaired by Lara Trump, raised $5.5 million for the rescue, which aims to open facilities in several states.