PETA, your friendly neighborhood animal activists are at it again. This time they want UK pop duo, Pet Shop Boys to change their name to Rescue Shelter Boys to highlight the horrid conditions of cats and dogs at pet shops. April 1st was a week ago; this is not a joke. However, they did ask politely.

In a letter to group members Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe, PETA Special Projects Manager, Yvonne Taylor boasted about the many fans they had there. She even said they were “loyal”. Even she had to admit how bizarre the request was. Hoping they would understand the notion, PETA laid out the facts about how animals were suffering in pet shops.

Taylor described that these animals are sourced from greedy breeders who have animals living in cramped conditions. She claimed they are forced to suffer genetic defects and personality disorders, which are passed down through generations. That must be the reason my cocker spaniel, Max, was so crazy.

After wrapping up her request letter with the sad story of how the animals didn’t get enough exercise nor the proper screening for suitability of guardians, Pet Shop Boys sadly declined. On their website, they said they are “unable to agree but nonetheless think it raises awareness of an issue worth thinking about”. [nme]

Wow, if someone or some group had thought about my Max, maybe he would still be alive today.