Trump gives speech during surprise appearance at Mar-a-Lago charity fundraiser

Former President Donald Trump made a surprise appearance at a dog rescue charity event at Mar-a-Lago on Friday, The Hill reports.

Big Dog Ranch Rescue sought to raise $500,000 at the event in order to rescue 500 dogs from China, where they are often mistreated as part of the country's dog meat industry.

The number represents 10 percent of the organization's goal of saving 5,000 dogs per year. The organization claims to have saved 37,000 dogs since its inception.

President Trump, who was the first President since Chester Arthur in the 1880s to not own a dog, gave an impromptu speech at the event during which he stressed his support for helping canines.

"I'm with you 100 percent," Trump said. "We had many meetings in the White House and the Oval Office having to do with saving and helping dogs!"

He also thanked Lara Trump for helping put the event together, during which he suggested that she may run for Senate. The former President's daughter-in-law is reportedly interested in running in North Carolina in 2022 to replace retiring Republican Senator Richard Burr.

"I don't know. You're running for the Senate. I hear she's going to run for the Senate," he said.