Loretta Swit: Friend to Animals
PETA and animals have lost a friend in the passing of Loretta Swit.
Emmy-Award-winning American actor Loretta Jane Swit was known for her role on M*A*S*H as Major Margaret Houlihan. But PETA will never forget her major love of animals.
Swit advocated for all species, including animal companions, animals exploited on farms, and animals in nature. She was a kindhearted person who said, “We must show compassion for each other and the animals; the more people you can educate, the more you can make a difference.” Even her meals were full of compassion: Swit was a dedicated vegan. She said, “Animals are my friends, not my food!”
Swit passionately advocated for adoption over buying and used her public platform to educate people about the importance of spaying and neutering. She said, “Puppy mills … are an evil blight on our society, and we should strive to rid our world of this unbelievable cruelty.”
A woman of action, Swit was one of several celebrities who signed an open letter to President Reagan asking that the laboratory-rescued monkeys of the Silver Spring Nine be moved to two safe facilities. She also worked with many animal charities and had one of her own called “SwitHeart Animal Alliance.” This charity works to bring back the dogs from Afghanistan to reunite them with their human companions and matches veterans with homeless animals.
Swit was not only a talented actress—she was an artist, too. She composed a book entitled “SwitHeart: The Watercolour Artistry & Animal Activism of Loretta Swit,” which was a collection of animal portraits—all proceeds benefiting her charity.
Swit said,“[Animals] love us unconditionally. Let’s give back and care for them unconditionally.”
In Swit’s memory, PETA encourages people who have the time, finances, patience, commitment, and compassion needed to care for an animal for life to consider adopting a dog or cat from their local animal shelter. Shelters everywhere are overflowing with animals of all sizes, ages, and personalities waiting for a family.
Her death has left a void that will be impossible to fill, but her work will live on forever. We only wish she could have, too.
