Big Dog Ranch Rescue Raises Millions at Mar-a-Lago Fundraiser Weekend

Rescue dogs owned the runway at Mar-a-Lago last weekend, strutting through a Surf Souleil-styled canine fashion show while celebrities, fashion designers, and more than 2,000 guests helped Big Dog Ranch Rescue set a new fundraising record at its annual Wine, Women & Shoes event.

The three-day fundraiser, which ran March 6–8 at The Mar-a-Lago Club in Palm Beach, raised nearly $5 million according to organizers, with some local coverage putting the final total at $5.5 million. Either figure represents a record for the nation's largest cage-free, no-kill dog rescue, which operates out of a 33-acre campus in Loxahatchee Groves.

"This year was a record-breaking success and boosted awareness for Big Dog Ranch Rescue," said founder Lauree Simmons. "It was a heartwarming display of community spirit, uniting style enthusiasts and animal advocates for a truly monumental cause."

The star power matched the stakes. Actress and animal advocate Katherine Heigl attended Sunday's festivities, as did internationally acclaimed dog behaviorist Cesar Millan. Jeanine Pirro, the United States attorney for the District of Columbia and former Fox News host, was also on hand. Pirro, who has four rescue dogs of her own, spoke to the tangible impact of Big Dog's work, including its Veterans Service Dog Training Program, which has paired more than 200 service dogs with 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."

Lara Trump served as honorary chair for the event. The Doggie Fashion Show, featuring 12 rescue dogs, drew particular attention, with onsite adoptions also available throughout the weekend. A live auction and luncheon rounded out the programming.

The weekend also marked a milestone beyond the fundraising total. Founder Lauree Simmons joined primary donors Ken and Elaine Langone to cut the ribbon on a new 18,000-square-foot "Patriot Pet Lodge" at the organization's campus.

"It's amazing to me how many people are so passionate about saving dogs' lives that they come support us," Simmons said. "We're so grateful."

Founded in 2008 as an outgrowth of the Florida Weimaraner Rescue in Wellington, Big Dog Ranch Rescue has saved more than 88,000 dogs since its inception. The organization is now expanding its reach to include small dogs and plans to open new locations in Texas, California, and North Carolina. This year's Wine, Women & Shoes event ran one day longer than its traditional format, with the Palm Beach Post noting the addition of an extra day reflecting the event's growing scale.