PALM BEACH —Katherine Heiglmade a rare public appearance atPresident Donald Trump's"Summer White House," Mar-a-Lago.
The onetime "Grey's Anatomy" star, 47, joined fellow television stars and fashion designers at the private resort to help Big Dog Ranch Rescue raise $5.5 million during three days of fundraising.
Heiglsaid she attended to support Big Dog, which has saved more than 88,000 dogs since 2008. The actress said Big Dog's work to "solve the pet overpopulation issue" is aligned with her family's foundation, which she runs with her mother, Nancy.
Eric Dane's 'Grey's Anatomy' costarKatherine Heigl shares emotional tribute
Heigl,who is rarely in the public eye since a run as rom-com queen in the mid-2000s, hasnot been open about her politics, and he appearance at the Trump-owned property may just be a coincidence.
"Our biggest goal right now really is to diminish the number of unwanted litters coming into this country, which is what is overcrowding our shelters," Heigl told the Palm Beach Post, part of the USA TODAY Network.
"We hear the word 'shelter,' and we think these animals are safe there, and they are not. It's not the shelter's fault, and it's not the fault of the shelters' workers. It's that our country is overrun with puppy-mill breeders," she continued.
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Katherine Heigl, Ellen Pompeoreunite and reflect on 'Grey's Anatomy' drama
A new federal "strike force," which claims the president's daughter-in-law, Lara Trump, as honorary co-chair, has helped to spearhead a crackdown on "bad actors" in the breeding industry with the U.S. Justice and Agriculture departments.
Another MAGA-world figure, Jeanine Pirro – a former Fox News show host now serving as the U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia – was also in attendance and called Big Dog an organization "you can count on."
Pirro, who has four rescues, said the organization is "committed to making sure" dogs rescued from certain euthanasia at shelters get homes. But she also highlighted the group's Veterans Service Dog Training Program, which has paired more than 200 service dogs with U.S. military veterans living with PTSD and other disabilities.
"You see concrete results," Pirro said of Big Dog Ranch. "You see people adopting dogs. You see people giving money when there's an emergency and a dog needs surgery. It's real, it's effective and it matters."
The event also welcomed TV personality Cesar Millan, a dog rehabilitator and trainer. Millan stressed that dogs end up in shelters because of human error or neglect. He encouraged the public to "be of service," noting there are many ways to help.
Stars are stepping out at the final awards events of the season as the 2026 Oscar race enters its final stretch. The star-studded Actor Awards kicked off the month of March, which will also feature the debut of movies like "The Bride!" and "Project Hail Mary," not to mention the Academy Awards on March 15.Scroll through for the best celebrity photos of the month so far, starting with Michelle Pfeiffer and Kurt Russell at the New York premiere of "The Madison" on March 9, 2026." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />
Pfeiffer pictured at Paramount+'s "The Madison" premiere at Lincoln Center on March 9, 2026." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Russell pictured at Paramount+'s "The Madison" premiere at Lincoln Center on March 9, 2026." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
From left, Li Jun Li, Omar Benson Miller, Wunmi Mosaku, Delroy Lindo, Michael B. Jordan, Jack O'Connell, Jayme Lawson, Miles Caton and Lola Kirke posing in the press room during the Actor Awards on March 1, 2026, in Los Angeles." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
ILIA Beauty celebrated the launch of its new Skin Blur Serum Concealer at their Complexion Residency Pop-Up in Los Angeles on March 5, 2026. Alongside Founder Sasha Plavsic, guests including Mandy Moore, Mindy Kaling, Nikki Reed, and more came together for a night of beauty, music and cocktails." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Danai Gurira, Sasha Plavsic, Mindy Kaling and Mandy Moore attend an ILIA Beauty event in Los Angeles." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Nikki Reed attends an ILIA Beauty event in Los Angeles." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Stephanie Suganami attends an ILIA Beauty event in Los Angeles. " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Mandy Moore attends an ILIA Beauty event in Los Angeles." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Danai Gurira attends an ILIA Beauty event in Los Angeles." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Chantel Jeffries hosts a JUDYDOLL Cocktail Soiree at Casadonna on March 5, 2026, in Miami, Florida. " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Jenn Tran" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Chinese filmmaker Chloe Zhao attends the 2026 Unforgettable Awards at the Fairmont Century Plaza Hotel in Los Angeles on March 7, 2026." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Stephanie Suganami" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Vincent Rodriguez III" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Raquel Olsson " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Leenda Dong" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Charles Melton " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Charles Melton and Lee Sung Jin" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Chrishell Stause" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Bowen Yang" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Randall Park " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Ji-young Yoo" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Te Ao o Hinepehinga" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Elizabeth Yu " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Anna Cathcart " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Alicia Hannah-Kim " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
The stars of "Tell Me Lies" Spencer House, Jackson White, Grace Van Patten and Sonia Mena attend a preview weekend celebrating the opening of Zero Bond at Wynn Las Vegas on March 6 and 7, 2026, the first expansion of Scott Sartiano's and Will Makris's New York private members club, in partnership with Wynn Resorts." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Kevin Costner attends Zero Bond preview weekend in Las Vegas. " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Keegan-Michael Key and Jon Hamm attend Zero Bond preview weekend in Las Vegas. " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
John Stamos attends Zero Bond preview weekend in Las Vegas. " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Scott Sartiano and Jessica Alba attend Zero Bond preview weekend in Las Vegas. " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Gwyneth Paltrow attends Zero Bond preview weekend in Las Vegas. " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Doja Cat performers during the Zero Bond preview weekend in Las Vegas. " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Donald Faison and Zach Braff attend Zero Bond preview weekend in Las Vegas. " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Doja Cat attends Zero Bond preview weekend in Las Vegas. " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Lisa Liberati, left, and James McAvoy attend the "California Schemin'" premiere at Glasgow Film Festival on March 8, 2026, in Glasgow, Scotland. " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Stephen Colbert speaks during the Writers Guild Awards New York ceremony on March 8, 2026, in New York City. " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Matt Rogers, left, and Bowen Yang " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Roy Wood Jr. " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Jordan Klepper " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Danny McBride " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Laëtitia Hollard" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Li Jun Li " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Sofia Carson " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Jeff Hiller " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Shayna McHale " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Michael Urie " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
David Krumholtz " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Jack Champion attends the Unforgettable Awards in Los Angeles on March 7, 2026" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Bowen Yang " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Chloe Zhao " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Charles Melton " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Kristen Kish " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Amber Glenn, left, and Connor Storrie attend the GLAAD Media Awards on March 5, 2026, in Beverly Hills, California. " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Camila Mendes " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
From left, Matt Rogers, Demi Lovato, and Bowen Yang " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Rhea Seehorn " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Sheryl Lee Ralph " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Noah Schnapp " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Don Lemon " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Seth MacFarlane attends the premiere of "Ted" Season 2 in New York City on March 5, 2026." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Michelle Pfeiffer attends the premiere of "The Madison" in London on March 4, 2026." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Patrick J. Adams, left, and Elle Chapman " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Kurt Russell " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Matthew Fox " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Erika Alexander, left, and Tracy Morgan attend the New York premiere of "The Fall & Rise of Reggie Dinkins" on March 3, 2026." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Steve Carell attends the premiere of "Rooster" in New York on March 3, 2026." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Zach Braff " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Nicole Kidman, left, and Jamie Lee Curtis attend the New York premiere of "Scarpetta" on March 3, 2026." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Ariana DeBose " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Jessie Buckley attends the premiere of "The Bride!" on March 3, 2026, in New York City. " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Maggie Gyllenhaal " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Jake Gyllenhaal " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Marisa Tomei " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Christian Bale, left, and Sibi Bale " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Annette Bening " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Julianne Hough attends the New York premiere of "The Bride!" on March 3, 2026." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Michael B. Jordan attends the Actor Awards on March 1, 2026, in Los Angeles." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Viola Davis " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Amy Madigan" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Timothee Chalamet, left, and his mother Nicole Flender " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Calista Flockhart, left, and Harrison Ford " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Teyana Taylor " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
From left, Emma Stone, Demi Moore, Michelle Williams, Jesse Plemons and Kirsten Dunst " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Kate Hudson " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Teyana Taylor, left, and Chase Infiniti " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
From left, Angela Kinsey, Jenna Fischer, Mindy Kaling and Ellie Kemper " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Noah Wyle" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Odessa A'zion, left, and Kevin O'Leary " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
From left, Kathryn Hahn, Seth Rogen, Ike Barinholtz and Chase Sui Wonders" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Jenna Ortega " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Parker Posey " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Dave Franco attends a screening of "Hoppers" in London, on March 1, 2026." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Bobby Moynihan " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> See Michelle Pfeiffer, Kurt Russell in best celeb photos of March
Stars are stepping out at the final awards events of the season as the 2026 Oscar race enters its final stretch. The star-studded Actor Awards kicked off the month of March, which will also feature the debut of movies like "The Bride!" and "Project Hail Mary," not to mention the Academy Awards on March 15.Scroll through for the best celebrity photos of the month so far, starting with Michelle Pfeiffer and Kurt Russell at the New York premiere of "The Madison" on March 9, 2026.
"Everybody can cooperate," he told the Palm Beach Post. "You can adopt a rescued dog. You can foster a dog. You can volunteer to go walk a dog at the shelter or clean a kennel. It's a pack effort where everybody can help in some shape or form."
Simmons agreed, saying she loves "the fact that there are so many animal lovers out there" wanting to support Big Dog's efforts and programs.
"The biggest thing is we need to spread awareness, because 80% of America has no idea how many incredible, wonderful adoptable family dogs are dying in shelters simply because they are overwhelmed and overcrowded," she said. "We can fix this problem."
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Katherine Heigl, Jeanine Pirro at Mar-a-Lago dog rescue event