Katherine Heigl Reveals Why She Attended Event at Mar-a-Lago: ‘This Should Not Be a Polarizing Issue’

Katherine Heigl, who has primarily lived out of the spotlight in recent years, made a rare public appearance over the weekend at a charity event held at President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida.

The former Grey’s Anatomy star, 47 — who has not publicly opened up about her political views — attended the Wine, Women & Shoes Benefiting Big Dog Ranch Rescue event on Sunday, March 8.

After her appearance made headlines, Heigl issued a statement to Just Jared explaining why she decided to show up and how she felt the event was important.

“Animals don’t vote,” Heigl said. “The only room they don’t like is the euthanasia room at a shelter. They are completely at the mercy of us, and they have no voice of their own.”

“This event was about animal advocacy — something that has always been deeply personal to me,” she continued. “Anyone who knows me knows that protecting animals is one of my greatest passions.”

Heigl explained that she and her mother, Nancy, “spent years advocating for animals” through the Jason Heigl Foundation, which was established in 2008 in honor of her late brother, who died in 1986 following a car accident.

“As a society, we should all come together to protect the voiceless and the innocent,” Heigl said in the statement. “This should not be a polarizing issue.”

“Thanks to the incredible generosity of everyone involved, this event raised over $5 million to help animals in need — especially those who have been abused or neglected,” she concluded. “I’m so grateful to everyone who showed up, supported, and continues to stand up for those who can’t speak for themselves.”

At the event, Heigl told the Palm Beach Post, “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.”

“We hear the word ‘shelter,’ and we think these animals are safe there, and they are not,” she said. “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.”

Heigl — who played Dr. Izzie Stevens on the long-running medical show for six seasons before her controversial exit — lives in Utah with her husband, Josh Kelley, and their children.