Actress Katherine Heigl responded to criticism after attending a dog rescue charity event held at Mar-a-Lago, the Palm Beach, Florida residence of President Donald Trump.
Heigl addressed the backlash after some social media users objected to her appearance at the event because of its location.
“Animals don’t vote. The only room they don’t like is the euthanasia room at a shelter,” Heigl told Page Six in a statement Wednesday. “They are completely at the mercy of us, and they have no voice of their own.”
The Grey’s Anatomy star emphasized that her attendance was focused solely on supporting animal welfare.
“This event was about animal advocacy — something that has always been deeply personal to me,” Heigl said. “Anyone who knows me knows that protecting animals is one of my greatest passions.”
Heigl attended the “Wine, Women & Shoes Benefiting Big Dog Ranch Rescue” fundraiser on Sunday at Mar-a-Lago.
The event raised more than $5.5 million for Big Dog Ranch Rescue, according to a statement posted by the organization on Instagram Thursday.
“From heartfelt moments to dazzling fashion, spirited auctions, and the incredible dogs at the heart of it all, the weekend was a beautiful reminder of what can happen when passion and purpose come together,” the group wrote.
The fundraiser was co-chaired by Lara Trump, President Trump’s daughter-in-law.
Photos from the event show Heigl posing with several attendees, including U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro and well-known dog trainer Cesar Millan.
Despite the charity focus of the event, Heigl received criticism on social media from some users upset that she attended a function at Trump’s residence.
Heigl responded directly to several commenters on Instagram.
When one user wrote “Nope. Bye,” Heigl replied simply, “Bye!”
Another commenter claimed they “never liked her” and criticized the actress for attending an event associated with Trump.
Heigl pushed back, arguing that animal welfare should not become a political issue.
“Really? Line in the sand?” she wrote. “So if you saw a dog on the street that was being tortured and set on fire and someone with a MAGA hat was trying to put out the fire you’d walk away?”
“You wouldn’t try to help that animal because the other person there doing what they could didn’t subscribe to your political opinion?” she continued.
“I’m pretty sure that sentiment makes you the bad guy… not the Republican trying to save the abused animal,” she added.
Another commenter accused Heigl of using the event for personal gain.
The actress dismissed the claim.
“Really? So I’m using animal advocacy to what? Line my pockets?” she wrote. “Seems to be costing me more than I can make… but that’s ok. At least my parents taught me to give more than I get.”
In another response, Heigl criticized what she described as social media “virtue signaling.”
“Just keep screaming your virtue signaling… while doing nothing that really matters,” she wrote.
When another user asked “Who even is she?” Heigl replied that her identity was less important than the cause.
“Doesn’t matter,” she wrote. “Do you care about animals? If so donate. Time. Money. Attention. Your voice.”
“Animals might not be your thing but I bet you care deeply about something that matters,” she added. “Do your part.”
Heigl also challenged critics who mocked her involvement.
“Just curious… what do you do that really matters?” she asked one commenter. “Do you think comments on an Instagram post matter to animals who have had humans pour gasoline on them and set them on fire?”
“Seriously… what do you think matters to the voiceless and innocent,” she continued. “Actions or just Instagram posturing?”
The actress has long been involved in animal rescue advocacy and has supported multiple organizations focused on animal welfare.
