The organisation PETA Europe, dedicated to establishing and protecting the rights of all animals, has written to Pet Shop Boys with a request they are unable to agree to but nonetheless think raises an issue worth thinking about. Their Special Projects Manager, Yvonne Taylor, wrote the following letter:
“Dear Neil and Chris,
You have many loyal fans of the Pet Shop Boys here at PETA. We have a request that may at first seem bizarre, but we hope that after considering the following facts, you will understand why we are asking this of you: will you please consider changing your name from the Pet Shop Boys to the Rescue Shelter Boys?
Most dogs and cats sold in pet shops are sourced from profit-hungry breeders who may have bred them in cramped, filthy conditions. With an emphasis on quantity rather than quality, unmonitored genetic defects and personality disorders pass from one generation of puppies and kittens to the next. Many animals end up with abnormalities that result in both heartbreak and high veterinary bills for the unsuspecting people who buy them. For every bird who reaches a pet shop, three others have died during capture, confinement and transportation. Hamsters, mice and other rodents are often bred by the pet shops themselves, leading to inbreeding, genetic weaknesses, physical deformities and behavioural disorders.
Most pet-shop animals are kept in cages or runs that are far too small for their needs. Exercise is minimal, and they often never leave their cages until the day that they are sold. Nocturnal animals are displayed throughout the day under glaring lights. Predators, such as snakes, may be displayed alongside their prey. No screening is done to ensure the suitability of prospective guardians.
By agreeing to change your name to the Rescue Shelter Boys, you would help raise awareness about the cruelty involved in the pet trade and encourage your millions of fans to consider giving a home to an abandoned or unwanted animal from an animal shelter. So, what do you say?”
You can read more about PETA at the link below.
A gay man in Russia, Andrei Kotov, arrested for running a gay travel agency and then tortured, has died in pre-trial detention. Organising any activity in Russia involving LGBTQ+ people is defined as “extremist”. We send our condolences to Andrei’s friends and family and to all LGBTQ+ people in Russia. Link to full story below.
Recent News
“Pet Shop Boys Annually 2025” will be published on April 4th, 2025 and is available to pre-order now at the link below. A brand new exclusive “Annually 2025” T‑shirt is also available to pre-order now.
We would like to wish all fans, friends and visitors to this site a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
A new lyric video for Pet Shop Boys’ “It doesn’t often snow at Christmas” is now available on YouTube.
Pet Shop Boys today release the expanded edition of their acclaimed new album, “Nonetheless”.
A new studio recording of the “All the young dudes” / “West End girls” medley, performed by PSB and the Manchester Camerata, and produced by Stuart Price with strings arranged by Anne Dudley, is available to stream now at the link below. The medley was performed at the MTV EMAs last night. It’s accompanied by a different “orchestral” mix by Stuart Price.
Kicking off the weekend which will see Pet Shop Boys performing at the EMAs in Manchester, the official video for their new version of David Bowie’s “All the young dudes” is now available to watch on YouTube at the link below.
Pet Shop Boys’ new double A‑side single, “New London boy / All the young dudes”, and an accompanying remixes single, are out now on CD and digitally at the link below.
Pet Shop Boys are pleased to announce that they will be performing at this year’s MTV EMAs in Manchester, where they will also receive the inaugural “Pop Pioneer Award” celebrating their 40 years in pop music. They will be performing with a local orchestra, the Manchester Camerata.