Grey’s Anatomy star Katherine Heigl resurfaces at Mar a Lago dog rescue gala after years away

After largely staying out of the public spotlight, Katherine Heigl has resurfaced with a rare appearance at a high profile charity event held at Mar-a-Lago.

The former Grey’s Anatomy star attended the Wine, Women and Shoes fundraiser benefiting Big Dog Ranch Rescue, marking her first major public appearance in roughly two years. The event took place at the well known Palm Beach resort owned by Donald Trump and drew hundreds of attendees supporting dog rescue and adoption initiatives.

Heigl attended the charity event alongside her mother, Nancy Heigl, and posed for photos with celebrity dog trainer Cesar Millan, widely known as the Dog Whisperer. The fundraiser itself featured fashion events, auctions and even a canine runway show where adoptable rescue dogs walked in front of guests.

The actress used the appearance to advocate for animal welfare and to highlight the problem of puppy mill breeding in the United States. She stressed that overcrowded shelters remain a major issue and that reducing unwanted litters is essential to easing the burden placed on rescue organisations.

The three day charity event reportedly drew thousands of guests and raised millions of dollars for Big Dog Ranch Rescue, one of the largest no kill dog rescue organisations in the United States. Funds raised support rehabilitation, adoption programmes and wider efforts to reduce dog homelessness nationwide.

Heigl’s appearance quickly caught attention online, partly because the actress has maintained a relatively low profile in recent years after stepping back from Hollywood and relocating with her family to Utah. Her last notable public appearance came during the 2024 Primetime Emmy Awards when she reunited on stage with fellow Grey’s Anatomy cast members.

While the event focused on philanthropy and animal rescue, the location of the fundraiser also sparked online discussion, with some observers surprised to see the actress attending a high profile event at Trump’s Florida estate.