Loxahatchee Groves-based Big Dog Ranch Rescue, the largest cage free, no-kill dog shelter, held an unprecedented fundraising weekend March 1-2, raising $4.3 million at the annual “Wine, Women & Shoes” benefit event, with surprise visits from President Donald Trump and Elon Musk, along with Big Dog Ranch Rescue Board Member and host Lara Trump. The event was held at the Mar-A-Lago Club in Palm Beach.
The annual two-day event was chaired by Susan Malzoni and co-chair Lora Drasner with support from honorary chairs Denise Rizzuto and Nicola Verses, and philanthropic chair Elena Cardone and Cardone Capital, as they joined 1,400 dog lovers and fashionistas with a fashion show, luncheon, live auction and dog adoptions.
Adoptable dogs, who were the stars of the event, rocking the runway in a doggie fashion show, dressed by Surf Soleil. Additional special guests included global fashion designers Anne Fontaine, Chiara Boni, Robert Graham and Ala von Auersperg, ambassadors Peter Lamelas and Kimberly Guilfoyle, U.S. Sen. Rand Paul, U.S. Sen. Mike Lee and Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw.
“This year was a record-breaking success and boosted awareness for Big Dog Ranch Rescue,” founder Lauree Simmons said. “It was a heartwarming display of community spirit, uniting style-lovers and animal advocates for a truly monumental cause. It was an honor to have President Trump and Elon Musk make an appearance in support of our mission, alongside passionate animal advocate Lara Trump.”
Big Dog Ranch Rescue was founded in 2008 and today has saved the lives of more than 75,000 dogs. Their mission is to heal and place them with loving families, to educate people about the proper care of dogs, and the importance of spaying and neutering. To learn more about Big Dog Ranch Rescue, visit www.bdrr.org.
