{{Short description|Subculture interested in anthropomorphic animals}} {{Redirect|Furries}} {{distinguish|animal roleplay|otherkin|therian subculture}} {{pp-semi-indef|small=yes}} {{Use mdy dates|date=January 2026}} [[File:Further Confusion 2007 fursuit post-parade photoshoot.jpg|thumb|upright=1.25|[[Fursuit]] owners at a [[furry convention]]|alt=A large crowd of people posing for the camera wearing animal costumes (fursuits)]] The '''furry fandom''' is a [[subculture]] defined by an interest in [[Anthropomorphism|anthropomorphic]] animal characters.<ref>{{cite news |last=Matthews |first=Dylan |date=March 27, 2015 |title=9 Questions About Furries You Were Too Embarrassed to Ask |url=https://www.vox.com/2014/12/10/7362321/9-questions-about-furries-you-were-too-embarrassed-to-ask |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160729151838/http://www.vox.com/2014/12/10/7362321/9-questions-about-furries-you-were-too-embarrassed-to-ask |archive-date=July 29, 2016 |access-date=August 7, 2016 |newspaper=Vox}}</ref><ref name="Aaron-2017">{{cite web |last1=Aaron |first1=Michael |date=May 12, 2017 |title=More Than Just a Pretty Face: Unmasking Furry Fandom |url=https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/standard-deviations/201705/more-just-pretty-face-unmasking-furry-fandom |website=[[Psychology Today]] |access-date=September 15, 2017 |archive-date=February 18, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210218040923/https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/standard-deviations/201705/more-just-pretty-face-unmasking-furry-fandom |url-status=live }}</ref> Members of the [[fandom]], known as '''furries''', often have their own characters in the form of [[fursona]]s<ref name="Gaudio2008" /> and may wear [[fursuit]]s,<ref name="Riggs-2004" /> engaging with fellow furries on the [[internet]] and at [[furry convention]]s.<ref>{{cite news |last=Kurutz |first=Daveen Rae |date=June 17, 2006 |title=It's a Furry Weekend in Pittsburgh |url=http://triblive.com/x/archive/1391374-74/archive-story |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303203338/http://triblive.com/x/archive/1391374-74/archive-story |archive-date=March 3, 2016 |access-date=June 30, 2006 |work=[[Pittsburgh Tribune-Review]]}}</ref>
While some furries engage in the subculture primarily through sexual activities, many portrayals of furries' sexuality are characterized as exaggerated and associated with a negative perception.<ref name="Meinzer-2006" /> Stigma against furries has led to individuals hiding their furry identity from friends, family, or coworkers.{{Sfn|Plante|Reysen|Adams|Roberts|2023|pp=666-673}} The furry fandom is largely male-dominated, but a significant portion of the fandom identifies as [[transgender]], outside the [[gender binary]], or both.{{Sfn|Plante|Reysen|Adams|Roberts|2023|pp=454-455}}
Terms for the fandom originated in the 1980s,<ref name="PattenYarf" /> though portrayal of anthropomorphic animals had existed previously<ref name="YarfChronology" /> in culture and literature.{{Sfn|Plante|Reysen|Adams|Roberts|2023|pp=8-9}} Socialization between members of the furry fandom grew through the [[History of the Internet|development of the Internet]],<ref name="BBC" /> and the first furry conventions started through the efforts of artists and anthropomorphic animal fans at [[science fiction convention]]s in the 1980s, at which time highly anthropomorphized characters were known mainly as [[funny animals]].<ref name="YarfChronology" /> Furry conventions have since grown to host thousands of attendees, have varying economic impact on their host cities,<ref name="Brandolph-2008" />{{Sfn|Plante|Reysen|Adams|Roberts|2023|p=17}} and are often associated with charities.<ref name="Parry-2010" />
== Definition ==
Members of the furry fandom, furries, are generally described as individuals who are interested in [[Anthropomorphism|anthropomorphic]] animal characters.<ref name="Aaron-2017" /> Some examples of anthropomorphic attributes include exhibiting human emotions, speaking, and wearing clothes,<ref name="lc">{{Cite web |date=2017 |title=Anthropomorphism |url=https://www.litcharts.com/literary-devices-and-terms/anthropomorphism |access-date=January 28, 2026 |website=LitCharts.com}}</ref> though the term itself is defined simply as attributing human characteristics to non-humans,<ref>{{Cite Merriam-Webster|Anthropomorphism|access-date=January 27, 2026}}</ref> and all of these attributes are not necessary. For instance, any non-human character that is depicted as feeling complex emotions can be considered anthropomorphic, regardless of whether it speaks or walks upright.<ref name="lc" /> The general concept of anthropomorphism greatly predates the advent of furries as they are now; imagery of human figures with animal anatomic features are known from engravings and [[cave painting]]s that date to the [[Upper Paleolithic]] period.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Hayden |first=Brian |url=http://archive.org/details/shamanssorcerers0000hayd |title=Shamans, Sorcerers, and Saints: a Prehistory of Religion |date=2003 |publisher=Smithsonian Books |isbn=978-1-58834-168-6 |pages=38, 136 |via=[[Internet Archive]]}}</ref> Having fur is not a prerequisite for a character to be considered "furry", though alternative terms may be used to distinguish subsets of the community; for example, a person interested in anthropomorphic [[reptile]]s may be considered a "scalie", but would remain part of the furry fandom regardless of their preferred species.{{Sfn|Plante|Reysen|Adams|Roberts|2023|p=102}}
[[File:Feral furry example.png|thumb|upright=0.6|alt=A drawing of a rabbit-like creature with wings|A feral character]]
An anthropomorphic character that has the anatomy of a regular animal is described as "feral"; these characters are relatively unpopular within the community.{{Sfn|Plante|Reysen|Adams|Roberts|2023|p=190}} Members of the fandom are more likely to describe being furry as being part of a community organized around an interest in anthropomorphic animals rather than having the specific interest on its own; studies on the fandom have found that there is no one accepted definition of "furry" within the group.{{Sfn|Plante|Reysen|Adams|Roberts|2023|pp=95-102}} Those who most strongly identify as furry are more resistant to the idea of the furry fandom being considered part of or lumped together with other fandoms, such as the [[anime and manga fandom]].{{Sfn|Plante|Reysen|Adams|Roberts|2023|pp=128-130}}
==History== The first works uniquely associated with the furry fandom were created in 1976, when cartoonists Ken Fletcher and Reed Waller created the [[amateur press association]] ''Vootie'', which was dedicated to animal-focused art.<ref>{{Citation |last=Waller |first=Reed |title=Pre-Vootie Apa-zine Flyer |date=February 29, 1976 |page=1 |editor-last=Waller |editor-first=Reed |editor2-last=Fletcher |editor2-first=Ken |url=https://www.furaffinity.net/view/19451045/ |access-date=October 11, 2024 |via=[[FurAffinity]]}}</ref> Many of its featured works contained adult themes, such as ''[["Omaha" the Cat Dancer]]'', which contained explicit sex.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Waller |first=Reed |title=The Collected 'Omaha': the Cat Dancer |date=1995 |publisher=Fantagraphics Books |others=Worley, Kate. |isbn=1-56097-161-4 |edition=1st Fantagraphics books |volume=1 |location=Seattle, Wash. |oclc=122275829}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Skinn |first=Dez |url=https://archive.org/details/comixunderground0000skin |title=Comix: the Underground Revolution |date=2004 |publisher=Thunder's Mouth Press |isbn=1-56025-572-2 |location=New York |pages=71, 106 |oclc=55592337 |quote=A furry animal turned erotic dancer...Omaha...is full of nubile animals of all sexual persuasions. Omaha...integrated sex into the storyline rather than just for shock value |url-access=registration}}</ref> ''Vootie'' was at first distributed only through local conventions and Ken's contacts, but grew a small following over the next several years. The publication ran for 37 issues from 1976 to 1983 and was succeeded by the amateur press association ''[[Rowrbrazzle]]'', which was active from 1984 onwards.{{Sfn|Plante|Reysen|Adams|Roberts|2023|pp=10-12}}
According to fandom historian and editor of ''Rowrbrazzle''{{Sfn|Plante|Reysen|Adams|Roberts|2023|p=14}} [[Fred Patten]], the concept of ''furry'' originated at a [[science fiction convention]] in 1980,<ref name="YarfChronology">{{cite news |last=Patten |first=Fred |author-link=Fred Patten |date=July 15, 2012 |title=Retrospective: An Illustrated Chronology of Furry Fandom, 1966–1996 |url=http://www.flayrah.com/4117/retrospective-illustrated-chronology-furry-fandom-1966-1996 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160405235823/https://www.flayrah.com/4117/retrospective-illustrated-chronology-furry-fandom-1966-1996 |archive-date=April 5, 2016 |access-date=July 15, 2012 |publisher=Flayrah}}</ref> when a character drawing from Steve Gallacci's ''[[Albedo Anthropomorphics]]'' started a discussion of anthropomorphic characters in science fiction novels. This led to the formation of a discussion group that met at science fiction conventions and [[comics convention]]s.{{Sfn|Plante|Reysen|Adams|Roberts|2023|pp=12-15}}
The specific term ''furry fandom'' was being used in [[fanzine]]s as early as 1983,{{Sfn|Plante|Reysen|Adams|Roberts|2023|p=15}} and had become the standard name for the genre by the mid-1990s when it was defined as "the organized appreciation and dissemination of art and prose regarding 'Furries', or fictional [[mammal]]ian anthropomorphic characters".<ref name="PattenYarf">{{cite news |last=Patten |first=Fred |title=The Yarf! Reviews |url=http://www.anthrozine.com/site/lbry/yarf.reviews.b.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160313204950/http://anthrozine.com/site/lbry/yarf.reviews.b.html |archive-date=March 13, 2016 |access-date=September 24, 2007 |work=[[WikiFur:Anthro|ANTHRO]]}}</ref> Prior to this point, these anthropomorphic animals were generally referred to as ''[[funny animals]]'', a term used in comics since at least the 1870s.{{sfn|Labarre|2020|pp=37, 43-44}} Internet newsgroup discussion in the 1990s created some separation between fans of funny animal characters and furry characters, meant to avoid the baggage that was associated with the term "furry".<ref>{{cite book |last=Sandler |first=Kevin S. |url=https://archive.org/details/readingrabbitexp0000unse |title=Reading the Rabbit: Explorations in Warner Bros. Animation |publisher=[[Rutgers University Press]] |year=1998 |isbn=0-8135-2537-3 |location=New Brunswick, N.J. |page=202 |oclc=37890394 |quote=[The distinction between "furry" and "funny animal"] is largely because of the baggage the term 'furry' carries with it, as a number of people see 'furries' [to be] obsessed with the sexuality of their fictitious characters. |url-access=registration}}</ref> Some fans consider the origins of furry fandom to be much earlier, with fictional works such as ''[[Kimba the White Lion|Kimba, the White Lion]]'', released in 1965, [[Richard Adams]]'s novel ''[[Watership Down]]'', published in 1972 (and its [[Watership Down (film)|1978 film adaptation]]), and [[Robin Hood (1973 film)|Disney's ''Robin Hood'']] being oft-cited examples.<ref name="YarfChronology"/> [[File:FurryMUCK Logo.png|thumb|The logo for [[FurryMUCK]], a furry-based virtual environment founded in 1990|alt=The text "FurryMUCK" written using lines]] Mark Merlino and Rod O'Riley are credited with starting the first room parties for furry socialization that evolved into the later concept of [[furry convention]]s. Mark had held [[film screening|screening]]s of cartoons featuring anthropomorphic animals since 1977, and in 1985 at [[Westercon]], Mark and Rod held a themed room party where ''[[Looney Tunes]]'' episodes and ''[[Animalympics]]'' were shown. The event was a success, and the two continued to hold similar parties at different conventions. At the following year's Westercon, the event was branded as a "furry party", and such events soon took off at different science fiction and fantasy conventions.{{Sfn|Plante|Reysen|Adams|Roberts|2023|pp=13-15}} By 1989, there was sufficient interest to stage the first furry convention, Confurence 0,<ref>{{cite book |last1=Patten |first1=Fred |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6EMODgAAQBAJ&pg=PA57 |title=Furry Fandom Conventions, 1989-2015 |publisher=McFarland |year=2017 |isbn=978-1-4766-6381-4 |page=57 |author-link=Fred Patten |no-pp=y |access-date=March 19, 2023 |archive-date=April 8, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408201553/https://books.google.com/books?id=6EMODgAAQBAJ&pg=PA57 |url-status=live }}</ref> which was held at the Holiday Inn Bristol Plaza in [[Costa Mesa, California]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Klee |first1=Miles |date=October 16, 2016 |title=Here's Some Amazing Raw Footage from the World's First Furry Convention |url=https://www.dailydot.com/unclick/first-furry-convention-1989/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180628185111/https://www.dailydot.com/unclick/first-furry-convention-1989/ |archive-date=June 28, 2018 |access-date=June 28, 2018 |work=The Daily Dot}}</ref> Once the Internet became accessible to the general population in the 1990s, it became the most popular means for furry fans to socialize.<ref name="BBC">{{cite news |last=Winterman |first=Denise |date=November 13, 2009 |title=Who Are the Furries? |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/magazine/8355287.stm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201109040643/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/magazine/8355287.stm |archive-date=November 9, 2020 |access-date=November 29, 2009 |work=[[BBC News|BBC News Magazine]]}}</ref> The [[Usenet newsgroup|newsgroup]] ''alt.fan.furry'' was created in November 1990, and virtual environments such as [[TinyMUCK|MUCKs]] also became popular places on the internet for fans to communicate.<ref name="FurryMUCK">{{cite web |last=Stamper |first=Chris |title=Furry Muckity-Muck |publisher=The Netly News |date=March 29, 1996 |url=http://www.pressedfur.com/press/muckity-muck.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927162630/http://www.pressedfur.com/press/muckity-muck.html |archive-date=September 27, 2007 |access-date=April 13, 2007}}</ref> [[File:Sparkledog wikibomination.png|alt=Drawing of a blue, pink, and green four-legged animal with wings and a tail, with additional Wikipedia motifs|left|thumb|An example of a sparkledog|upright=0.8]] During the mid- to late 2000s, furry art became associated with art sharing sites such as [[DeviantArt]]. Many furries who created characters or [[fursona]]s during this period would design brightly colored dogs or wolves, leading to the coining of the commonly derisive term "[[wikt:sparkledog|sparkledog]]".<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Heinz |first=Mary |date=October 19, 2020 |title="There's A Little Bit of That Magic Where I'm Becoming Something Else": LGBT+ Furry Identity Formation and Belonging Online |url=https://ojs.library.dal.ca/JUE/article/view/10351 |journal=Journal for Undergraduate Ethnography |language=en |volume=10 |issue=2 |pages=21–37 |doi=10.15273/jue.v10i2.10351 |issn=2369-8721}}</ref><ref>{{Cite thesis |last=Walston |first=Belle |title=Sparklefurs: Virtual Avatars, Physical Embodiment, and Intergenerational Histories in the Furry Fandom |date=2025 |access-date=March 18, 2026 |degree=MA |publisher=[[University of Texas at Austin]] |url=https://repositories.lib.utexas.edu/items/e5851811-aaea-4971-813e-80667385b621 |hdl=2152/134320 }}</ref> As of 2023, the most popular furry website has become [[Fur Affinity|FurAffinity]], an art sharing website and [[Internet forum|forum]]. The messaging program [[Telegram (software)|Telegram]] is the preeminent way furries communicate with each other, and social media sites like [[Twitter]], [[Discord]], and [[Reddit]] remain popular sites in the furry fandom.{{Sfn|Plante|Reysen|Adams|Roberts|2023|pp=235-239}}
==Inspiration== Allegorical novels, including works of both [[science fiction]] and [[fantasy]], and cartoons featuring anthropomorphic animals are often cited as the earliest inspiration for the fandom.<ref name="YarfChronology"/> A survey conducted in 2007 suggested that when compared with a non-furry control group, a higher proportion of those identifying as furries liked cartoons "a great deal" as children and recalled watching them significantly more often, as well as being more likely to enjoy works of science fiction than those outside of the community.{{sfn|Gerbasi|Paolone|Higner|Scaletta|2008}}
While cartoons and other media are common routes that lead to interest in the furry fandom, by far the most common source of exposure to furries is the internet. This is contrasted with [[sports fan]]s, who are generally more likely to become fans due to the influence of friends or family.{{Sfn|Plante|Reysen|Adams|Roberts|2023|pp=607-609}} Some furries have expressed a feeling that they were always a part of the fandom, but did not know it until they were exposed to others in the community; others discover the fandom through research into media or ancient mythology, through happenstance, introduction by a friend or significant other, online [[role-playing]], or [[pornography]].{{Sfn|Plante|Reysen|Adams|Roberts|2023|pp=610-616}} Individuals remain in the fandom for various reasons, but the most prominent motivation among those surveyed is a sense of belonging in the fan community.{{Sfn|Plante|Reysen|Adams|Roberts|2023|pp=616-622}}
==Activities and interests== According to a survey from 2008, most furries believe that visual art, conventions, literature, and online communities are strongly important to the fandom.<ref name="ThirdSurvey"/> While the most straightforward interest of furries remains the anthropomorphic characters themselves, artwork, paraphernalia (such as [[fursuit]]s, [[leash]]es, [[Collar (animal)|collars]], accessories, and other costume pieces), conventions, and furry events remain strong interests within the fandom in subsequent surveys.{{Sfn|Plante|Reysen|Adams|Roberts|2023|pp=240-257}}
===Crafts=== [[File:GR FC2007 Wicked Creatures Furry Sculptures.jpg|thumb|upright|Sculptures and pins on display at [[Further Confusion]], a furry convention|alt=An open binder of animal-themed pins with some sculptures of anthropomorphic animals on display]] Fans with craft skills create plush toys and also build elaborate costumes called [[fursuit]]s,<ref name="Riggs-2004">{{cite book|last=Riggs|first=Adam|year=2004|title=Critter Costuming: Making Mascots and Fabricating Fursuits|publisher=Ibexa Press |isbn=978-0-615-58423-2 |oclc=865510728}}</ref> which are worn for fun or to participate in parades, convention [[masquerade ball|masquerades]], dances, or fund-raising charity events (as entertainers).<ref>{{cite news|first=Alina|last=Larson|url=http://www.furryfandom.info/trivalley-herald-furry-fans-help-mankind.htm|title=Animal Instincts: Fans of Furry Critters Convene to Help Mankind|work=Tri-Valley Herald|publisher=[[ANG Newspapers]]|date=January 23, 2003|access-date=May 20, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190921192053/http://www.furryfandom.info/trivalley-herald-furry-fans-help-mankind.htm|archive-date=September 21, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> Fursuits range from designs featuring simple construction resembling some entertainment and sports mascots{{sfn|Gerbasi|Paolone|Higner|Scaletta|2008}} to those with more sophisticated features such as moving jaw mechanisms, [[audio-Animatronics|animatronic]] parts, [[prosthetic makeup]], and other features.<ref name="Brandolph2008">{{cite news|url=http://kdka.com/local/local_story_167193226.html|title=Furries Descend On Pittsburgh|publisher=[[KDKA-TV]]|date=June 16, 2006|access-date=June 30, 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070126105803/http://kdka.com/local/local_story_167193226.html|archive-date=January 26, 2007 }}</ref> Complete fursuits typically range in price from about $1000 for a simple design to upwards of $6,600 for models incorporating [[digitigrade]] legs, which require additional padding and sculpting.{{Sfn|Plante|Reysen|Adams|Roberts|2023|p=211}} Some fans may also wear "partial" suits consisting simply of ears and a tail, or a head, paws, and a tail.{{sfn|Gerbasi|Paolone|Higner|Scaletta|2008}} Surveys from the late 2000s indicated that about 80% of furries do not own a full fursuit,{{sfn|Gerbasi|Paolone|Higner|Scaletta|2008}}<ref name="ThirdSurvey" /><ref name="SecondSurvey"/> but later surveys from 2016 to 2020 found that the number of fursuit owners ranged from one-quarter to one-third of those surveyed.{{Sfn|Plante|Reysen|Adams|Roberts|2023|p=209}} A much larger proportion of individuals who attend conventions own a full or partial fursuit—45%, according to a survey done at Anthrocon 2018—which has been attributed to convention attendees' generally higher likelihood of being able to afford to buy a fursuit if they can afford convention travel expenses.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2018 |title=Anthrocon 2018 Study |url=https://furscience.com/research-findings/appendix-1-previous-research/ac2018/ |access-date=January 31, 2024 |website=Furscience.com}}</ref>
Furry fans also pursue [[puppeteer|puppetry]], recording videos and performing live shows such as ''[[Rapid T. Rabbit and Friends]]'' and the ''[[Funday PawPet Show]]'', and create furry [[fashion accessory|accessories]], such as ears or tails.<ref name="FoxyStudent">{{cite news |last1=Irwin |first1=Charles |last2=Watterson |first2=Summer |date=April 24, 2002 |title=A 'Furry' Tale for a Foxy College Student |url=http://en.wikifur.com/wiki/A_%27furry%27_tale_for_a_foxy_college_student |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090911141422/http://en.wikifur.com/wiki/A_%27furry%27_tale_for_a_foxy_college_student |archive-date=September 11, 2009 |access-date=September 3, 2008 |work=[[The Olympian]] |via=WikiFur}}</ref>
===Role-playing=== {{anchor|Roleplaying}}{{anchor|Role playing}} {{Main|Fursona}}[[File:Anthro vixen fullbody front.svg|thumb|upright|A cartoon anthropomorphic [[vixen]], an example of a furry character|alt=Drawing of a cartoon anthropomorphic red fox with spiky blonde hair on its head]] Anthropomorphic animal characters created by furry fans, known as [[fursona]]s,<ref name="Gaudio2008">{{cite news |last=Gaudio |first=Greg |date=August 23, 2008 |title=Lions and Foxes and Cat-dragons Walk on Two Legs in Beach |url=http://hamptonroads.com/2008/08/lions-and-foxes-and-catdragons-walk-two-legs-beach |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090211234713/http://hamptonroads.com/2008/08/lions-and-foxes-and-catdragons-walk-two-legs-beach |archive-date=February 11, 2009 |access-date=September 7, 2008 |work=[[The Virginian-Pilot]]}}</ref> are used for [[role-playing]] in [[Multi-user dungeon|MUD]]s,<ref name="Mitchell1995">{{cite web |last=Mitchell |first=Don |date=March 23, 1995 |title=From MUDs to Virtual Worlds |url=http://www.mentallandscape.com/Papers_95vworlds.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090519035523/http://www.mentallandscape.com/Papers_95vworlds.htm |archive-date=May 19, 2009 |access-date=November 6, 2009 |work=Social Computing Group, Microsoft}}</ref> on [[internet forum]]s, or [[electronic mailing list]]s.<ref name="Howells2002">{{cite news |last=Howells |first=Shelley |date=October 1, 2002 |title=Secret Lives of Strange and Furry |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/technology/secret-lives-of-strange-and-furry/7ICTDATSGF6XW6NTZYXHZW2ZAA/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220821235903/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/technology/secret-lives-of-strange-and-furry/7ICTDATSGF6XW6NTZYXHZW2ZAA/ |archive-date=August 21, 2022 |access-date=March 2, 2026 |work=[[The New Zealand Herald]]}}</ref> A variety of species are employed as the basis of these personas, although many furry fans (for example over 60% of those surveyed in 2007) choose to identify themselves with [[carnivora]]ns.{{sfn|Gerbasi|Paolone|Higner|Scaletta|2008|p=205}}<ref>{{cite web |last=Werner |first=Christian |title=Och, Sind die Süüüüß! |url=http://zuender.zeit.de/2008/36/furry-eurofurence-horrorfurence |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080906005232/http://zuender.zeit.de/2008/36/furry-eurofurence-horrorfurence |archive-date=September 6, 2008 |access-date=September 6, 2008 |work=Zeit Online Zuender |publisher=Zeit Online |language=de}}</ref> The longest-running online furry role-playing environment is ''[[FurryMUCK]],'' which was established in 1990.<ref name="dog">{{cite book | last1 = Mulligan | first1 = Jessica| last2 = Patrovsky | first2 = Bridgette| year = 2003 | title = Developing Online Games: An Insider's Guide| url = https://archive.org/details/developingonline0000mull | url-access = registration | publisher = New Riders| isbn = 1-59273-000-0| pages = [https://archive.org/details/developingonline0000mull/page/452 452]| quote = 1990 [...] ''FurryMUCK'' opens. It features avatars who are anthropomorphic animals.}}</ref> Another popular online furry social game is called ''[[Furcadia]]'', a long-running [[massively multiplayer online role-playing game]] that has been continuously updated from 1996<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Radde-Antweiler |first=Kerstin |date=2008 |title=Where Dreams and Dragons Meet. An Ethnographic Analysis of two Examples of Massive Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Games (MMORPGs). |url=http://archiv.ub.uni-heidelberg.de/volltextserver/id/eprint/8290 |journal=Heidelberg Journal of Religions on the Internet |volume=3 |issue=1 |doi=10.11588/HEIDOK.00008290}}</ref> to 2016. Other games that can be used as online chatrooms, such as [[VRChat]], have been used to facilitate furry role-playing.<ref>{{Cite web |last=McNally |first=Tantroo |date=June 26, 2025 |title=VRChat Gets Clogged by Dreaming Furries Attending Furality Somna |url=https://www.flayrah.com/9355/vrchat-gets-clogged-dreaming-furries-attending-furality-somna |access-date=January 13, 2026 |website=Flayrah |language=en}}</ref>
===Conventions=== {{Main|Furry convention}}
[[File:Kemono fursuits.jpg|thumb|[[Kemonā|Kemono]] fursuits are characterized by their large, colorful eyes and soft, rounded facial features.|alt=Two people posing in kemono fursuits, one an anthro airplane and the other a bunny]] Sufficient interest and membership have enabled the creation of many furry conventions worldwide. A [[furry convention]] is an event where fans get together to buy and sell artwork, participate in workshops or panels, wear costumes, and socialize.<ref>{{cite web |last=Jorgensen |first=Karl |title=What is a Furry Convention Like? |url=http://www.furryfandom.info/furries-convention-near-me.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190921192054/http://www.furryfandom.info/furries-convention-near-me.htm |archive-date=September 21, 2019 |access-date=September 21, 2019 |publisher=Furry Fandom Infocenter}}</ref> [[Anthrocon]], in 2008, was the largest furry convention at the time, with more than 5,861 attendees.<ref>{{cite web |title=Anthrocon Official Website |url=http://www.anthrocon.org/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140924035637/http://www.anthrocon.org/ |archive-date=September 24, 2014 |access-date=September 21, 2014 |publisher=[[Anthrocon]]}}</ref> It was estimated to have generated approximately $3 million for Pittsburgh's economy that year.<ref name="Brandolph-2008">{{cite news |last=Brandolph |first=Adam |date=June 28, 2008 |title=Furry Convention a $3 Million Cash Cow for City Businesses |url=http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/cityregion/s_575023.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090414201132/http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/cityregion/s_575023.html |archive-date=April 14, 2009 |access-date=July 4, 2008 |work=[[Pittsburgh Tribune-Review]]}}</ref> Another convention, [[Further Confusion]], held in [[San Jose, California|San Jose]] each January, closely follows Anthrocon in scale and attendance. $470,000 was raised by conventions for charity from 2000 to 2009.<ref name="Parry-2010">{{cite web |last=Parry |first=Laurence |date=January 17, 2010 |title=2009 Charity Donations Down; $470,000 Raised This Decade |url=http://www.flayrah.com/c/2009-charity-donations-down-470000-raised-decade |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100121172832/http://www.flayrah.com/c/2009-charity-donations-down-470000-raised-decade |archive-date=January 21, 2010 |access-date=February 2, 2010 |work=[[WikiFur:Flayrah|Flayrah]]}}</ref> As of December 2022, [[Midwest FurFest]] was the world's largest furry convention.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sonious (Tantroo McNally) |date=December 4, 2017 |title=Midwest FurFest Usurps Anthrocon's Record and Becomes the World's Largest Furry Convention |url=https://www.flayrah.com/7171/midwest-furfest-usurps-anthrocons-record-and-becomes-worlds-largest-furry-convention |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201203075524/https://www.flayrah.com/7171/midwest-furfest-usurps-anthrocons-record-and-becomes-worlds-largest-furry-convention |archive-date=December 3, 2020 |access-date=June 13, 2020 |website=Flayrah}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=December 9, 2022 |title=FurFest: Inside the World's 'Largest' Furry Convention |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/av/world-us-canada-63911432 |access-date=December 7, 2023 |publisher=[[BBC]] |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=December 6, 2022 |title=Thousands Attend World's 'Largest' Furry Convention |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/video/video/2022/12/06/thousands-attend-worlds-largest-furry-convention/ |access-date=December 7, 2023 |newspaper=The Irish Times |language=en}}</ref> It had a self-reported 2025 attendance of 16,925.<ref>{{Cite tweet |number=1997811798066544795 |user=FurFest |title=Joining us from 44 countries, and including 1572 Sponsors, 297 Shiny Sponsors, and One Goose with a Knife; We wouldn't be anything without our 16,925 attendees. |date=December 7, 2025 |access-date=January 13, 2026}}</ref> Despite its size, which is attributed to the nearby [[O'Hare International Airport]] allowing attendees easy access from around the world, the convention is noted to have little economic impact to the surrounding [[Rosemont, Illinois]] area compared to that of Anthrocon in its native [[Pittsburgh]],{{Sfn|Plante|Reysen|Adams|Roberts|2023|p=17}} which reported attendance numbers of 16,800 in 2024<ref>{{Cite web |last=McNally |first=Tantroo |date=December 17, 2024 |title=Anthrocon regains the largest furry convention status in 2024; but indicates it may cap 2025 attendance |url=https://www.flayrah.com/9268/anthrocon-regains-largest-furry-convention-status-2024-indicates-it-may-cap-2025-attendance |access-date=April 30, 2026 |website=Flayrah}}</ref> and 18,357 in 2025.<ref>{{Cite tweet |number=1942607183193190811 |user=anthrocon |title=Final numbers for #AC2025: Attendance: 18,357 Charity: Over $87,000 Our Attendee Feedback Survey will be sent via email in the coming days. See you next year July 2-5, 2026 for "Critters, Cryptids & Curses" AND out 20th anniversary in Pittsburgh! #Anthrocon |author=Anthrocon, Inc. |date=July 8, 2025 |access-date=April 30, 2026}}</ref> Even higher attendance numbers are reported by virtual conventions; Furality, a VRChat-based convention, had 21,000 registrations in 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |last=McNally |first=Tantroo |date=July 9, 2024 |title=Furality's 8th gathering brings together 21,000 furs to VRChat event raising $42,269 for charity |url=https://www.flayrah.com/9195/furalitys-8th-gathering-brings-together-21000-furs-vrchat-event-raising-42269-charity |access-date=April 30, 2026 |website=Flayrah}}</ref>
The first known furry convention, [[ConFurence]],<ref name="YarfChronology" /> is no longer held; Califur replaced it in 2004, as both conventions were based in [[Southern California]].<ref name="OCWeekly">{{cite web |title=CaliFur 2011: A Furry Convention |url=http://www.ocweekly.com/slideshow/califur-2011-a-furry-convention-33476341/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131211022108/http://www.ocweekly.com/slideshow/califur-2011-a-furry-convention-33476341/ |archive-date=December 11, 2013 |access-date=June 29, 2013 |website=OC Weekly}}</ref> A 2007 survey suggested that about 40% of furries had attended at least one furry convention;<ref name="SecondSurvey" /> analysis in 2023 by Reysen and Plante concluded that "most furries have attended at least a few [conventions]".{{Sfn|Plante|Reysen|Adams|Roberts|2023|p=247}}
=== <span class="anchor" id="Websites and online communities"></span> Art, websites and online communities=== The internet contains a multitude of furry websites and online communities, such as art community websites [[Fur Affinity]], Inkbunny, SoFurry, and Weasyl; and WikiFur, a collaborative furry [[wiki]].<ref name="AnimalPassions">{{cite news|url=https://www.pghcitypaper.com/news-2/animal-passions-1337258/|title=Animal Passions|last=Meinzer|first=Melissa|date=June 29, 2006|access-date=May 25, 2007|newspaper=[[Pittsburgh City Paper]]}}</ref> Furry news websites include ''Flayrah'' and ''Dogpatch Press''.<ref>{{cite book |last=Patten |first=Fred |title=Furry Fandom Conventions, 1989-2015 |publisher=[[McFarland & Company]] |year=2017 |isbn=978-1-4766-2688-8}}</ref>{{Sfn|Plante|Reysen|Adams|Roberts|2023|pp=235-239}}
There are several [[webcomic]]s featuring animal characters created by or for furry fans; as such, they may be referred to as [[List of furry comics|furry comics]]. One such comic, ''[[T.H.E. Fox]]'', was first published on [[CompuServe]] in 1986, predating the [[World Wide Web]] by several years,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://cbmfiles.com/genie/geniefiles/Information/T.H.E.-FOX.TXT|title=Interview with Joe Ekaitis|access-date=January 12, 2007|publisher=The Commodore 64/128 RoundTable|year=1994|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110112165235/http://cbmfiles.com/genie/geniefiles/Information/T.H.E.-FOX.TXT|archive-date=January 12, 2011|url-status=live}}</ref> while another, ''[[Kevin and Kell]]'' by [[Bill Holbrook]], has been awarded both a [[Web Cartoonists' Choice Awards|Web Cartoonists' Choice Award]] and an [[List of webcomic awards#Ursa Major Awards|Ursa Major Award]].<ref name="WCCA">{{cite web |url=http://www.ccawards.com/2001.htm |title=2001 Winners and Nominees |publisher=Web Cartoonist's Choice Awards |date=February 19, 2001 |access-date=December 4, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091231152414/http://www.ccawards.com/2001.htm |archive-date=December 31, 2009 }}</ref><ref name="UMA">{{cite web|url=http://www.ursamajorawards.org/UMA_2003.htm|title=Award Winners 2003|publisher=Ursa Major Awards|access-date=November 9, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071109013348/http://www.ursamajorawards.org/UMA_2003.htm|archive-date=November 9, 2007|url-status=live}}</ref> Webcomics featuring anthropomorphic animals make up a significant subset of amateur comics online, with many being published on [[DeviantArt]] and Reddit.{{sfn|Labarre|2020|pages=102-109}}
The Ursa Major Award is given in the field of furry fandom works and is the main award in the field of [[anthropomorphism]].<ref>{{cite web |last=TheChainedWolf |date=March 14, 2020 |title=Ursa Major Awards 2009: Predictions and Forlorn Hopes |url=http://www.flayrah.com/3293/ursa-major-awards-2009-predictions-and-forlorn-hopes |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201129073716/https://www.flayrah.com/3293/ursa-major-awards-2009-predictions-and-forlorn-hopes |archive-date=November 29, 2020 |access-date=March 2, 2021 |website=FurteanTimes.com/Flayrah}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Patten |first=Fred |date=July 21, 2013 |title=The Ursa Major Awards |url=https://cartoonresearch.com/index.php/the-ursa-major-awards/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150920162525/https://cartoonresearch.com/index.php/the-ursa-major-awards/ |archive-date=September 20, 2015 |access-date=March 2, 2021 |website=Cartoon Research}}</ref> It has been awarded to many comics and animated series over the years, including ''[[Helluva Boss]]'' (2021),<ref name="ursavoting2021" /><ref>{{cite web |last=Perry |first=Laurence |date=May 18, 2022 |title='Shine', 'Awoo!' Take 2021 Ursa Major Awards by Landslides; K. Garrison Wins Three |url=https://www.flayrah.com/8638/shine-awoo-take-2021-ursa-major-awards-landslides-k-garrison-wins-three |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220518034210/https://www.flayrah.com/8638/shine-awoo-take-2021-ursa-major-awards-landslides-k-garrison-wins-three |archive-date=May 18, 2022 |access-date=May 22, 2022 |website=Flayrah}}</ref> ''[[Beastars#Manga|Beastars]]'' (2020),<ref name="ursavotingopens" /><ref>{{Cite web|last=Dronon|date=May 3, 2021|title=Winners of the 2020 Ursa Major Awards|url=https://www.flayrah.com/8349/winners-2020-ursa-major-awards|access-date=March 28, 2022|website=Flayrah|archive-date=May 3, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210503190232/https://www.flayrah.com/8349/winners-2020-ursa-major-awards|url-status=live}}</ref> ''[[BNA: Brand New Animal#Awards|BNA: Brand New Animal]]'' (2020),<ref name="ursavoting2020">{{cite web|url=https://ursamajorawards.org/voting2020/|title=Voting|publisher=Ursa Major Awards|access-date=March 2, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210301150205/https://ursamajorawards.org/voting2020/|archive-date=March 1, 2021|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="ursavotingopens">{{cite web |last=Dronon |date=March 14, 2020 |title=Voting Opens for the 2020 Ursa Major Awards |url=https://www.flayrah.com/8291/voting-opens-2020-ursa-major-awards |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210429224636/http://www.flayrah.com/8291/voting-opens-2020-ursa-major-awards |archive-date=April 29, 2021 |access-date=March 2, 2021 |website=Flayrah}}</ref> ''[[Centaurworld#Awards and nominations|Centaurworld]]'' (2021),<ref name="ursavoting2021">{{cite web |last=Dronon |date=March 18, 2022 |title=Voting is Open for the 2021 Ursa Major Awards |url=https://www.flayrah.com/8587/voting-open-2021-ursa-major-awards |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220308161748/https://www.flayrah.com/8587/voting-open-2021-ursa-major-awards |archive-date=March 8, 2022 |access-date=March 22, 2022 |website=Flayrah}}</ref> ''[[Aggretsuko#Awards|Aggretsuko]]'' (2020),<ref name="ursavoting2020" /><ref name="ursavotingopens" /> ''[[Kipo and the Age of Wonderbeasts#Accolades|Kipo and the Age of Wonderbeasts]]'' (2020),<ref name="ursavoting2020" /><ref name="ursavotingopens" /> and ''[[Odd Taxi#Awards and nominations|Odd Taxi]]'' (2021).<ref name="ursavoting2021" /><ref name="ursavotingopens" /> ''Helluva Boss'' episodes "[[Murder Family]]" (2020),<ref name="ursavoting2020" /><ref name="ursavotingopens" /> "[[Loo Loo Land]]" (2020),<ref name="ursavoting2020" /><ref name="ursavotingopens" /> and "[[The Circus (Helluva Boss)|The Circus]]" (2022)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://ursamajorawards.org/UMA_2022.htm|title=Award Winners 2022|publisher=Ursa Major Awards|access-date=July 5, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230609174729/https://ursamajorawards.org/UMA_2022.htm|archive-date=June 9, 2023|url-status=live}}</ref> were nominated for the "Best Dramatic Series" category. Some of these series also feature [[LGBTQ people|LGBTQ]] characters, such as ''Helluva Boss''<ref name="macjoh2022">{{cite web|last=Mackcey|first=Joshua S.|url=https://www.intomore.com/culture/10-lgbtq-cartoons-loved-2022/|title=10 LGBTQ+ Cartoons That We Loved in 2022|website=[[Into (magazine)|Into]]|date=December 14, 2022|access-date=July 5, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230324115722/https://www.intomore.com/culture/10-lgbtq-cartoons-loved-2022/|archive-date=March 24, 2023|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="dumas2023">{{cite web |last=Dumas |first=Zoe |date=July 2, 2023 |title=Why Helluva Boss is the Best Web Series Right Now |url=https://movieweb.com/helluva-boss-best-web-series-now/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230705201408/https://movieweb.com/helluva-boss-best-web-series-now/ |archive-date=July 5, 2023 |access-date=July 5, 2023 |website=[[MovieWeb]]}}</ref> and ''Kipo and the Age of Wonderbeasts''.<ref>{{Cite web |date=January 21, 2021 |title=Netflix's Newest Animation Pickup Has a Black and Gay Cast, But Isn't a "Black" or "Gay" Cartoon |url=https://www.news.quirktastic.co/post/kipo-and-the-age-of-the-wonderbeast-dreamworks-netflix/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210411023056/https://news.quirktastic.co/post/kipo-and-the-age-of-the-wonderbeast-dreamworks-netflix |archive-date=April 11, 2021 |access-date=July 8, 2020 |website=Quirktastic |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Radulovic |first=Petrana |date=January 15, 2020 |title=Kipo and the Age of Wonderbeasts Treats Coming Out Like Just Another Part of Life |url=https://www.polygon.com/2020/1/15/21067505/kipo-and-the-age-of-wonderbeasts-coming-out-scene |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200115211704/https://www.polygon.com/2020/1/15/21067505/kipo-and-the-age-of-wonderbeasts-coming-out-scene |archive-date=January 15, 2020 |access-date=July 8, 2020 |website=Polygon |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Johnson|first=Kevin|date=June 24, 2024|title=How Kipo and the Age of Wonderbeasts Codes Blackness|url=https://www.denofgeek.com/tv/how-kipo-and-the-age-of-wonderbeasts-codes-blackness/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200627063003/https://www.denofgeek.com/tv/how-kipo-and-the-age-of-wonderbeasts-codes-blackness/|archive-date=June 27, 2020|access-date=July 8, 2020|website=Den of Geek|language=en-US}}</ref>
=== IT industry and tech === It is often suggested that "furries run the internet", as members of the furry community are overrepresented in the [[Information technology|IT industry]]. One example was [[David Benaron]], a physician and biomedical researcher who participated in the furry community under the alias of a [[cheetah]] named Spottacus.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Reeve |first=Dylan |date=January 11, 2022 |title=Who Runs the Internet? Furries |url=https://thespinoff.co.nz/internet/11-01-2022/who-runs-the-internet-furries |access-date=July 11, 2024 |work=The Spinoff}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=June 4, 2022 |title=Your Smartwatch's Heart Rate Monitor Was Developed by a Furry |first=Will|last=Greenwald|url=https://www.pcmag.com/news/your-smartwatchs-heart-rate-monitor-was-developed-by-a-furry |access-date=January 4, 2026 |website=PCMAG |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/furry-fandom-big-tech-software-developers-2022-3 |title=How Furries Came to Rule the Tech Industry |date=March 11, 2022 |first=Kylie |last=Robinson |work=Business Insider |access-date=July 11, 2024}}</ref> Studies in 2014 and 2016 that surveyed convention-going furries found that much of the fandom is made up of college students and recent graduates working skilled or [[White-collar worker|white-collar]] jobs. Compared to other fandoms, such as those interested in [[anime and manga fandom|anime and manga]] or [[fantasy sports]], furries were more likely to describe their work as involving computers.{{Sfn|Plante|Reysen|Adams|Roberts|2023|p=391}}
==Demographics and sociology== [[File:Anthrocon 2007 dealers hall and artists alley.jpg|left|thumb|While some furry fans create and wear costumes called "fursuits" depicting their characters, not all of them do.|alt=Overhead view of people walking on a convention floor, some wearing fursuits]] The International Anthropomorphic Research Project (IARP), a team of social scientists, has been collecting data on the furry fandom. Their 2016 publication collects several peer-reviewed and self-published studies into a single volume, titled ''Furscience''.<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Gerbasi |first1=Kathleen |title=Furries Among Us: Essays on Furries by the Most Prominent Members of the Fandom |last2=Plante |first2=Courtney |last3=Reysen |first3=Stephen |last4=Roberts |first4=Sharon |publisher=Thurston Howl Publications |year=2015 |isbn=978-0-9908902-6-3 |editor-last=Howl |editor-first=Thurston |location=Nashville, TN |pages=102–105 |chapter=The origins of the international anthropomorphic research project}}</ref>{{sfn|Plante|Reysen|Roberts|Gerbasi|2016}} Among their findings were that the average adult furry is between 23 and 27 years of age, with more than 75% of furries being 25 years of age or younger, and 88% of adult furries being under the age of 30. Minors were not included in the study for professional ethics reasons. IARP estimated that 20% were under the age of 18.{{sfn|Plante|Reysen|Roberts|Gerbasi|2016|pp=4–7}} Over two-thirds (67.1%) of furries identified themselves as male on the surveys, while 23.3% identified as female. 2% of furries identified themselves as transgender, and 10% of furries identified themselves as [[genderqueer]]/non-binary.{{sfn|Plante|Reysen|Roberts|Gerbasi|2016|pp=10–11}} Early surveys found that the furry fandom was male-dominated, with 2007–08 surveys reporting around 80% male respondents,<ref name="SecondSurvey" /><ref name="ThirdSurvey" /><ref name="Evans" /> though later studies that allowed for choices broader than a [[gender binary|male/female binary]] found lower percentages of male respondents. More than 25% of respondents to surveys from 2021 to 2022 identified as [[transgender]] or did not identify with the labels of male or female.{{Sfn|Plante|Reysen|Adams|Roberts|2023|pp=454-455}} The prevalence of men in the furry fandom has been reported since even before the 2000s.{{Sfn|Plante|Reysen|Adams|Roberts|2023|p=456}}
Between 83% and 90% of furries self-identify as White, with small minorities of furries self-identifying as Asian (2–4%), Black (2–3%), and Hispanic (3%).{{sfn|Plante|Reysen|Roberts|Gerbasi|2016|pp=7–10}} Over a fifth (21%) of furries consider themselves to be [[My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic fandom|bronies]], 44% consider themselves to be [[anime]] fans, and 11% consider themselves sports fans.{{sfn|Plante|Reysen|Roberts|Gerbasi|2016|pp=32–33}} Furries, as a group, are more politically liberal and less religious than the average American or other comparable fan groups such as anime fans,{{sfn|Plante|Reysen|Roberts|Gerbasi|2016|p=18}} while still containing groups such as [[neo-Nazism|neo-Nazis]] and [[alt-right]] activists.<ref name="ViceAltRight">{{cite web |last=Kiberd |first=Roisin |date=January 12, 2017 |title=Pony Nationalism and the Furred Reich: Inside the Alt-Furry's Online Zoo |url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/pony-nationalism-and-the-furred-reich-inside-the-alt-furrys-online-zoo/ |publisher=[[Vice Media]] |access-date=January 25, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170115085409/http://motherboard.vice.com/read/pony-nationalism-and-the-furred-reich-inside-the-alt-furrys-online-zoo |archive-date=January 15, 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref> Almost a quarter of furries (23.5%) self-identified as [[Christian]], 16.8% as [[atheist]], 16.8% as [[agnosticism|agnostic]], 11.0% as [[Pagan]]/[[Wicca]]n, 2.4% as [[Buddhist]], 1.2% as [[Jewish]], 1.1% as [[Deism|Deist]], 0.9% as [[Satanism|Satanist]], and 26.2% as "other" (including "participants who had their own belief systems, were undecided, refused to answer, or had uncommon belief systems").{{sfn|Plante|Reysen|Roberts|Gerbasi|2016|p=16}} Approximately 70% of adult furries have either completed or are currently completing post-secondary education.{{sfn|Plante|Reysen|Roberts|Gerbasi|2016|p=12}} Further results from the IARP were published in a 2023 book, also titled ''Furscience''.{{Sfn|Plante|Reysen|Adams|Roberts|2023}} Furry demographics are informed by the way they are collected; most of those furries surveyed are advertised to on English-speaking websites, and those that have been interviewed or surveyed in person were only at conventions in North America and western Europe.{{sfn|Plante|Reysen|Roberts|Gerbasi|2016|pp=412–417}}
A Pittsburgh-based researcher reported that up to 15% of furries may be [[autistic]], compared with about 2% in the general United States population as estimated by the [[Center for Disease Control]]. The 15% figure includes people who may have never received a diagnosis but [[self-identify as autistic]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Boden |first=Sarah |date=July 10, 2019 |title=For Some With Autism, Furry Culture Offers Comfort and Acceptance |url=https://www.wesa.fm/science-health-tech/2019-07-10/for-some-with-autism-furry-culture-offers-comfort-and-acceptance |access-date=June 23, 2023 |work=90.5 WESA}}</ref> Studies that asked whether furries had been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder have found responses varying from 3% up to 13.2% of the surveyed sample having been diagnosed. Through surveying a broader range of mood disorders, including [[attention deficit hyperactivity disorder]] and [[anxiety]], furries were not found to be particularly susceptible to diagnosable mental health problems compared to the general population.{{Sfn|Plante|Reysen|Adams|Roberts|2023|pp=688-691}}
One of the most universal behaviors in the furry fandom is the creation of a [[Fursona (fandom)|fursona]]—an anthropomorphic animal representation or avatar. More than 95% of furries have a fursona. Nearly half of furries report that they have only ever had one fursona to represent themselves; relatively few furries have had more than three or four fursonas. The most popular fursona species include wolves, foxes, dogs, large felines, and dragons. There is generally no association between personality traits and different fursona species.{{sfn|Plante|Reysen|Roberts|Gerbasi|2016|pp=50–74}} Furries report different degrees of personality traits when thinking of themselves in their everyday identity compared with their fan identity.{{sfn|Plante|Reysen|Roberts|Gerbasi|2016|pp=129–133}} Some furries identify as partly non-human: 35% say they do not feel 100% human (compared with 7% of non-furries), and 39% say they would be 0% human if they could (compared with 10% of non-furries).{{sfn|Plante|Reysen|Roberts|Gerbasi|2016|p=78}} [[File:Asriel Dreemurr fursuit.jpg|thumb|upright=0.8|Some furries also identify as [[gamer]]s and may prefer to play games featuring furry characters.{{Sfn|Plante|Reysen|Adams|Roberts|2023|pp=292-312}} Pictured is a fursuit of the character [[Asriel Dreemurr]] from the 2015 video game [[Undertale]].|alt=A person wearing a white goat-like fursuit and a green and yellow striped shirt, waving to the camera]] Inclusion and belonging are central themes in the furry fandom: compared with members of other fandoms such as anime or fantasy sports, furries are significantly more likely to identify with other members of their fan community. On average, half of a furry's friends are also furries themselves.{{sfn|Plante|Reysen|Roberts|Gerbasi|2016|pp=123–133}} Furries rate themselves higher (compared with a comparison community sample of non-furries) on the degree of global awareness (knowledge of the world and felt connections to others in the world), [[global citizenship]] identification (psychological connection with global citizens), and [[Sustainability|environmental sustainability]].{{sfn|Plante|Reysen|Roberts|Gerbasi|2016|p=18}} Many furries find overlap in their interests with other hobbies, such as anime and manga, video games, and music, though most gravitate towards "furry media" when possible. Furries may turn to external media to distract from their own lives and potentially benefit more from their involvement with the furry fandom through their engagement with art.{{Sfn|Plante|Reysen|Adams|Roberts|2023|pp=292-312}}
===Furry lifestyle=== The phrases "furry lifestyle" and "furry lifestyler" first appeared in July 1996 on the newsgroup alt.fan.furry during an ongoing dispute within the [[online community]]. The Usenet newsgroup was created to accommodate discussion beyond furry art and literature, and to resolve disputes concerning what should or should not be associated with the fandom; its members quickly adopted the term "furry lifestylers", and considered the fandom and the lifestyle to be separate social entities. They defined and adopted an alternative meaning of the word "furry" specific to this group: "a person with an important emotional/spiritual connection with an animal or animals, real, fictional, or symbolic."<ref>{{cite web |date=May 8, 2001 |title=Frequently Asked Questions |url=http://www.tigerden.com/infopage/furry/lifestyle.txt |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060821023802/http://www.tigerden.com/infopage/furry/lifestyle.txt |archive-date=August 21, 2006 |access-date=August 26, 2006 |website=alt.lifestyle.furry |via=tigerden.com}}</ref> The description of a furry lifestyle has since developed and has been contrasted with being furry as a [[hobby]]; some furries who treat their interest in the fandom as a hobby use this distinction to denote that they do not take it as seriously as do others (who may wear a tail and collar every day and at work), but hobbyists are not typically seen as "lesser furries" when compared to lifestylers.{{Sfn|Plante|Reysen|Adams|Roberts|2023|pp=109-112, 126-127}}
In their 2007 survey, Gerbasi and colleagues examined what it meant to be a furry, and proposed a taxonomy in which to categorize different "types" of furries. The largest group—38% of those surveyed—described their interest in furry fandom predominantly as a "route to socializing with others who share common interests such as anthropomorphic art and costumes."{{sfn|Gerbasi|Paolone|Higner|Scaletta|2008|p=220}} They also identified furries who saw themselves as "other than human", or who desired to become more like the furry species which they identified with.<ref name="BBC" />{{sfn|Gerbasi|Paolone|Higner|Scaletta|2008}} They suggested that this identification as "less than human" could be considered parallel to [[Gender Identity Disorder|gender identity disorder]] (reclassified in 2013 as gender dysphoria<ref name="DSM5">{{cite book |last=American Psychiatry Association |author-link=American Psychiatry Association |url=https://archive.org/details/diagnosticstatis0005unse/page/451 |title=Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition Text Revision (DSM-5-TR) |date=2022 |publisher=[[American Psychiatric Publishing]] |isbn=978-0-89042-576-3 |edition=5th TR |location=Washington, DC |pages=511–520}}</ref>), and described it using the term "species identity disorder". Several issues with this particular comparison made in the study were raised in 2011, mainly focusing on the controversial nature of gender identity disorder as a diagnosis and the means by which Gerbasi and colleagues drew conclusions about these subjects.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Probyn-Rapsey |first1=Fiona |url=https://www.animalsandsociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/probynrapsey.pdf |title=Furries and the Limits of Species Identity Disorder: A Response to Gerbasi et al| journal=Society and Animals |volume=19 |issue=3 |date=2011 |pages=294–301 |doi=10.1163/156853011X578956 }}</ref><ref name="Griffiths-2012" /> The term "species identity disorder" is now more closely associated with [[Therian subculture|therians]] or [[otherkin]].<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Proctor |first=Devin |date=September 29, 2018 |title=Policing the Fluff: The Social Construction of Scientistic Selves in Otherkin Facebook Groups |url=https://estsjournal.org/index.php/ests/article/view/252 |journal=Engaging Science, Technology, and Society |language=en |volume=4 |pages=485–514 |doi=10.17351/ests2018.252 |issn=2413-8053|doi-access=free }}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Blom |first1=Jan Dirk |last2=Sharpless |first2=Brian A. |date=July 1, 2025 |title=A Systematic Review on Clinical Therianthropy and a Proposal to Conceptualize Zoomorphism as a Diagnostic Spectrum |journal=Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews |volume=174 |doi=10.1016/j.neubiorev.2025.106193 |issn=0149-7634 |doi-access=free |article-number=106193 |pmid=40350004 }}</ref>
===Sexuality=== {{Multiple image | align = right | perrow = 2 | image1 = Furrys en la Marcha del Orgullo de Ciudad de México.jpg | alt1 = People hugging wearing fursuit heads at a pride parade | image2 = Sydney Mardi Gras 2013 - 8523006991.jpg | alt2 = People wearing fursuits on a parade float | image3 = London Pride 2023 (53079352071).jpg | alt3 = People wearing fursuits walking in a parade on the road draped in transgender flags | image4 = Photograph of Malmö Pride Parade 2016 titled Colorful people (28209302393).jpg | alt4 = Two people wearing fursuits holding and wearing pride flags | total_width = 420 | footer = A majority of the furry fandom falls within the group of [[LGBTQ people]].{{Sfn|Plante|Reysen|Adams|Roberts|2023|p=457}} Clockwise from upper left: Furries at [[Mexico City Pride]], on a float at [[Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras]], at [[Pride in London]], and in a pride parade in [[Malmö]]. }}{{SM|Furry pornography|section=yes|date=May 2026|discuss=Talk:Furry pornography#Furry fandom section}}{{see also|Yiff}}
According to four different surveys conducted from 2007 to 2011, 14–25% of the fandom members report homosexuality, 37–52% bisexuality, 28–39% heterosexuality, and 3–8% other forms of alternative sexual relationships.<ref name="SecondSurvey" /><ref name="Evans" /><ref name="FirstSurvey">{{cite web|url=http://www.furcenter.org/pubs/SF_2008.pdf|title=State of the Fandom|date=June 27, 2008|work=Furry Research Center|first=Alex |last=Osaki|access-date=March 22, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304223529/http://www.furcenter.org/pubs/SF_2008.pdf|archive-date=March 4, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Gerbasi-winter-2011" /> Approximately half of the respondents reported being in a relationship, of which 76% were in a relationship with another member of the furry fandom.<ref name="SecondSurvey">{{cite web |date=May 5, 2007 |title=Furry Survey Results |url=http://studyf3.livejournal.com/1383.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110727123232/http://studyf3.livejournal.com/1383.html |archive-date=July 27, 2011 |access-date=May 5, 2007 |website=University of California, Davis Department of Psychology}}</ref> Examples of sexual aspects within the furry fandom include erotic art and furry-themed [[cybersex]].<ref name="Indiana">{{Citation|last1=Bardzell |first1=Jeffery |author-link2=Shaowen Bardzell |first2=Shaowen|last2=Bardzell|title=Sex-Interface-Aesthetics: The Docile Avatars and Embodied Pixels of'' Second Life'' BDSM |publisher=[[Indiana University]] |date=2005}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Stuttaford |first1=Thomas |author1-link=Thomas Stuttaford |last2=Godson |first2=Suzi |author2-link=Suzi Godson |date=December 8, 2007 |title=I Like Dressing Up as a Bear During Sex |url=http://women.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/women/body_and_soul/article3016114.ece |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110615180141/http://women.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/women/body_and_soul/article3016114.ece |archive-date=June 15, 2011 |access-date=December 11, 2007 |work=[[The Times]] |location=London}} ([[WikiFur:I like dressing up as a bear during sex|further details]])</ref> The term "[[wikt:yiff|yiff]]" is sometimes used to indicate sexual activity or sexual material within the fandom—this applies to sexual activity and interaction within the subculture whether in the form of cybersex or [[Online and offline|offline]].<ref name="AnimalPassions" /><ref name="Padva">{{cite journal | last1 = Padva | first1 = Gilad | year = 2005 | title = Dreamboys, Meatmen and Werewolves: Visualizing Erotic Identities in All-Male Comic Strips | journal = Sexualities | volume = 8 | issue = 5| pages = 587–99 | doi = 10.1177/1363460705058395 | s2cid = 143653150 }}</ref>
In one survey with 4,300 furry respondents, 37% answered that sexual attraction is important in their furry activities, 38% were ambivalent, and 24% responded that it has little or nothing to do with their furry activities.<ref name="Gerbasi-winter-2011">{{cite web |author=Gerbasi |first=Kathleen C. |display-authors=etal |year=2011 |title=International Online Furry Survey: Winter 2011 |url=https://sites.google.com/site/anthropomorphicresearch/past-results/international-online-furry-survey-2011 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130308185939/https://sites.google.com/site/anthropomorphicresearch/past-results/international-online-furry-survey-2011 |archive-date=March 8, 2013 |access-date=September 1, 2012}}</ref> In an earlier online survey, 33% of furry respondents answered that they have a "significant sexual interest in furry", another 46% stated they have a "minor sexual interest in furry", and the remaining 21% stated they have a "non-sexual interest in furry". The survey specifically avoided adult-oriented websites to prevent bias.<ref name="Evans">{{cite web|url=http://cannedgeek.com/images/sharedfiles/fss_report_finaldraft.PDF|title=The Furry Sociological Survey|year=2008|first1=Kyle |last1=Evans|access-date=September 1, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130904201818/http://www.cannedgeek.com/images/sharedfiles/fss_report_finaldraft.PDF|archive-date=September 4, 2013}}</ref>
Another survey at a furry convention in 2013 found that 96.3% of male furry respondents reported viewing furry pornography, compared with 78.3% of females; males estimated that 50.9% of all furry art they view is pornographic, compared with 30.7% of females. The respondents to the survey had a slight preference for pornographic furry artwork over non-pornographic artwork. 17.1% of males reported that when they viewed pornography it was exclusively or near-exclusively furry pornography, and about 5% reported that pornography was the top factor that got them into the fandom.<ref name="Fiesta2013">{{Cite web|last1=Plante |first1=C. N. |last2=Reysen |first2=S. |last3=Roberts |first3=S. E. |last4=Gerbasi |first4=K. C. |date=2013 |publisher=International Anthropomorphic Research Project |title=Furry Fiesta 2013 Summary|url=https://furscience.com/research-findings/appendix-1-previous-research/furry-fiesta-2013/}}</ref>
A survey conducted from 1997 to 1998 reported about 2% of furry respondents stating an interest in [[zoophilia]], and less than 1% an interest in [[plushophilia]] (sexually aroused by stuffed animal toys). The older, lower results, which are even lower than estimated in the general population, were due to the methodology of questioning respondents face-to-face, which led to [[social desirability bias]].<ref name="FirstSurvey"/><ref name="Griffiths-2012">{{cite web |last=Griffiths |first=Mark |date=April 5, 2012 |title=Animal Magnetism: Inside the World of the Furries |url=http://drmarkgriffiths.wordpress.com/2012/04/05/animal-magnetism-inside-the-world-of-the-furries/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120728095943/http://drmarkgriffiths.wordpress.com/2012/04/05/animal-magnetism-inside-the-world-of-the-furries/ |archive-date=July 28, 2012 |access-date=September 1, 2012}}</ref> In contrast, one comparative study from 1974 and 1980 showed 7.5% of sampled students at [[University of Northern Iowa]] reporting zoophilia,<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Story |first1=MD |year=1982 |title=A Comparison of University Student Experience with Various Sexual Outlets in 1974 and 1980 |journal=Adolescence |volume=17 |issue=68 |pages=737–47 |pmid=7164870}}</ref> while other studies find only 2.2%<ref>{{cite journal | last1 = Joyal | first1 = C. C. | last2 = Cossette | first2 = A. | last3 = Lapierre | first3 = V. | year = 2014 | title = What Exactly Is an Unusual Sexual Fantasy? | journal = The Journal of Sexual Medicine | volume = 12 | issue = 2| pages = 328–340 | doi = 10.1111/jsm.12734 | pmid = 25359122 }}</ref> to 5.3%<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Crépault |first1=Claude |last2=Couture |first2=Marcel |year=1980 |title=Men's Erotic Fantasies |journal=Archives of Sexual Behavior |volume=9 |issue=6 |pages=565–81 |doi=10.1007/BF01542159 |pmid=7458662 |s2cid=9021936}}</ref> expressing fantasies of sex with animals. An anonymous survey in 2008 found 17% of respondents identified as zoophiles and it stated that most furries had a more moderate view of zoophilia. The study had 5,000 participants with 22.6% of them having an extremely negative view of zoophilia, 23% negative view, 36.3% ambivalent, 13.5% positive view, and 4.5% had an extremely positive view of it.<ref name="FirstSurvey" /> Later sources have stated that both [[bestiality]] and zoophilia are considered taboo in the furry fandom,<ref>{{Cite book|last=Strike|first=Joe|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1QJuDwAAQBAJ&q=Furry+fandom+zoophile|title=Furry Nation: The True Story of America's Most Misunderstood Subculture|date=October 3, 2017|publisher=Cleis Press|isbn=978-1-62778-233-3|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://digitalcommons.macalester.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1005&context=anth_awards|format=pdf|title=Constructions and Performances of Self in Furry Fandom|date=2019|access-date=December 17, 2025|first=Jake|last=Dunn|publisher=[[Macalester College]]|page=6}}</ref> and there have been discussions in the fandom about distinguishing art of anthropomorphized animals from art of bestiality.<ref>{{Cite book|last1=Reysen|first1=Stephen|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=15cqEAAAQBAJ&dq=furry+fandom+all+ages&pg=PA67|title=Transported to Another World: The Psychology of Anime Fans|last2=Plante|first2=Courtney N.|last3=Chadborn|first3=Daniel|last4=Roberts|first4=Sharon E.|last5=Gerbasi|first5=Kathleen C.|date=April 19, 2021|publisher=Stephen Reysen|isbn=978-0-9976288-1-4|language=en|page=67}}</ref> A strong stigma remains against zoophiles in the furry fandom, with those who engage in the act being ostracized from in-person furry events and online.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Richman |first=Olivia |date=October 2, 2021 |title=YouTuber Sappho "comes out" as a zoophile, sparking outrage towards the furry community |url=https://www.invenglobal.com/articles/15248/sappho-zoophile-drama-furry-community |access-date=March 17, 2026 |website=InvenGlobal |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Lucas |first=Jessica |date=December 20, 2021 |title='It's sick': Furries rally against a zoophile influencer |url=https://www.inverse.com/input/culture/hypnotist-sappho-zoophile-bestiality-influencer-vs-furries |access-date=March 17, 2026 |website=Input |language=en}}</ref> Despite this, a connection between the fandom and zoophilia remains,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Guerrier |first=Jacqueline Daniell |date=2014 |title=Bringing Out the Animal In Me: An Examination of Art and the Individual Within the Furry Subculture |url=https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/153207931.pdf |website=Honors College at [[James Madison University|JMU]] Scholarly Commons}}</ref> particularly in the perception of those unfamiliar with the fandom.{{Sfn|Plante|Reysen|Adams|Roberts|2023|pp=271-274}}<ref>{{Cite thesis|hdl=10388/13537|title=Toward a Greater Understanding of the Assessment, Psychological Correlates, and Management of Human Perpetrated Sexual Behaviour Toward Animals |date=August 24, 2021 |degree=Doctor of Philosophy |last=Zidenberg |first=Alexandra M.|publisher=[[University of Saskatchewan]]}}</ref>
==Public perception and media coverage== [[File:Rabbit fursuiters at mff 2025.jpg|thumb|A group of fursuiters in 2025|alt=A group of people wearing rabbit fursuits, varying from very realistic to very cartoony]] Early portrayals of furries in magazines such as ''[[Wired (magazine)|Wired]]'',<ref name="Wired">{{citation |last1=Quittner |first1=Josh |title=Johnny Manhattan Meets the Furry Muckers |date=March 1994 |magazine=[[Wired (magazine)|Wired]] |quote=People describe themselves as furry cuddly animals; more times than not, they have furry cuddly animal sex. FurryMuckers like to write long, loving, animal-sexy descriptions of themselves}}</ref> ''[[Loaded (magazine)|Loaded]]'',<ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=[[Loaded (magazine)|Loaded]]|date=March 1998|title=Heavy Petting}}</ref> and ''[[Vanity Fair (magazine)|Vanity Fair]]'' focused mainly on the sexual aspect of the furry fandom.<ref name="VanityFair">{{cite news |last=Gurley |first=George |date=March 2001 |title=Pleasures of the Fur |url=http://www.vanityfair.com/culture/features/2001/03/furries200103 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110301213430/http://www.vanityfair.com/culture/features/2001/03/furries200103 |archive-date=March 1, 2011 |access-date=March 22, 2011 |work=[[Vanity Fair (magazine)|Vanity Fair]]}}</ref> Fictional portrayals of the furry fandom have appeared in television shows such as ''[[The Simpsons]]'',<ref>{{cite episode|title=[[Flaming Moe]]|series=The Simpsons|series-link=The Simpsons|network=[[Fox Broadcasting Company]]|airdate=January 16, 2011|season=22|number=11}}</ref><ref>{{cite episode|title=[[Do Pizza Bots Dream of Electric Guitars]]|series=The Simpsons|series-link=The Simpsons|network=[[Fox Broadcasting Company]]|airdate=March 14, 2021|season=32|number=15}}</ref> [[ER (TV series)|''ER'']],<ref>{{cite episode|title=Fear of Commitment|series=ER|series-link=ER (TV series)|network=[[NBC]]|airdate=March 5, 2001|season=7|number=20}}</ref> ''[[CSI: Crime Scene Investigation]]'',<ref name="ERandCSI">{{cite episode|title=Fur and Loathing|episode-link=Fur and Loathing (CSI episode)|series=CSI: Crime Scene Investigation|series-link=CSI: Crime Scene Investigation|network=[[CBS]]|airdate=October 30, 2003|season=4|number=5}}</ref> ''[[The Drew Carey Show]]'',<ref>{{cite episode|title=Mama Told Me I Should Come|series=The Drew Carey Show|series-link=The Drew Carey Show|network=[[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]]|airdate=October 21, 2002|season=8|number=6}}<!-- See [[WikiFur:The Drew Carey Show|The Drew Carey Show]] on WikiFur for more information.--></ref> ''Sex2K'' on [[MTV]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://fursuit.timduru.org/dirlist/FursuitVideo/FurriesInTheNews/MTV2002/|title=Sex2K Fursuit Video|publisher=[[MTV]]|access-date=August 26, 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110816221526/http://fursuit.timduru.org/dirlist/FursuitVideo/FurriesInTheNews/MTV2002/|archive-date=August 16, 2011|url-status=live}}</ref> ''[[Entourage (U.S. TV series)|Entourage]]'',<ref name="Entourage">{{cite episode|title=The Day Fuckers|episode-link=The Day Fuckers|series=Entourage|series-link=Entourage (U.S. TV series)|network=[[HBO]]|airdate=July 28, 2007|season=4|number=7}}</ref> ''[[1000 Ways to Die]]'',<ref name="1KWaysToDie">{{cite episode|title=Death Over Easy|series=1000 Ways to Die|series-link=1000 Ways to Die|network=[[Spike (TV channel)|Spike]]|airdate= February 8, 2009|season=1|number=4}}</ref> ''[[Tosh.0]]'',<ref>{{cite web|last=Jordan|date=August 10, 2011|title=Tosh.O Web Redemption: The Larper|url=http://www.larping.org/tosho-web-redemption-larper/|publisher=Larping|access-date=November 11, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141129030403/http://www.larping.org/tosho-web-redemption-larper/|archive-date=November 29, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Markos |date=September 5, 2013 |title=Kusa the Arctic Fox Gets Web Redemption on Comedy Central's Tosh.0 |url=http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2013/09/kusa-the-arctic-fox-gets-web-redemption-on-comedy-centrals-tosh-0/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141129021404/http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2013/09/kusa-the-arctic-fox-gets-web-redemption-on-comedy-centrals-tosh-0/ |archive-date=November 29, 2014 |work=Furry News Network}}</ref> ''[[Check It Out! with Dr. Steve Brule]]'',<ref>{{cite episode|title=Animals|series=Check It Out! with Dr. Steve Brule|series-link=Check It Out! with Dr. Steve Brule|network=[[Adult Swim]]|airdate=April 15, 2012|season=2|number=5}}</ref> and ''[[30 Rock]]''.<ref>{{cite episode|title=Emanuelle Goes to Dinosaur Land|series=30 Rock|series-link=30 Rock|network=[[National Broadcasting Company|NBC]]|airdate=May 13, 2010|season=4|number=21}}</ref> Furry fans have claimed that media portrayals from the late 90s and early 2000s are misconceptions.<ref name="AnnArbor">{{cite news |last=Baldwin |first=Denis |date=August 2006 |title=Walk With the Animals: Local Furries Explain It's Not About Perversion, Furpiles and Plush |url=http://www.annarborpaper.com/content/issue23/furries_23.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070204003446/http://www.annarborpaper.com/content/issue23/furries_23.html |archive-date=February 4, 2007 |access-date=February 2, 2007 |work=Ann Arbor Paper}}</ref><ref name="Post-Gazette">{{cite news |last=Belser |first=Ann |date=June 18, 2006 |title=All About 'Furry Fandom' at Confab |url=https://www.post-gazette.com/life/lifestyle/2006/06/18/All-about-furry-fandom-at-confab/stories/200606180151 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160512182132/https://www.post-gazette.com/life/lifestyle/2006/06/18/All-about-furry-fandom-at-confab/stories/200606180151 |archive-date=May 12, 2016 |access-date=June 30, 2006 |newspaper=[[Pittsburgh Post-Gazette]]}}</ref> By the later 2000s, coverage had started to focus on addressing the myths and stereotypes associated with the furry fandom.<ref name="TribReview">{{cite news |last=Togneri |first=Chris |date=July 6, 2007 |title=Furries Purr Over Pittsburgh Reception |url=https://archive.triblive.com/news/furries-purr-over-pittsburgh-reception/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250131013131/https://archive.triblive.com/news/furries-purr-over-pittsburgh-reception/ |archive-date=January 31, 2025 |access-date=July 14, 2007 |newspaper=[[Pittsburgh Tribune-Review]]}}</ref> A reporter attending ''Anthrocon 2006'' noted that "despite their wild image from ''Vanity Fair'', MTV, and ''CSI'', furry conventions aren't about kinky sex between weirdos gussied up in foxy costumes", that conference attendees were "not having sex more than the rest of us",<ref name="Meinzer-2006">{{cite news|url=https://www.pghcitypaper.com/news-2/fur-ball-in-the-works-1336602/|title=Fur Ball In the Works|last=Meinzer|first=Melissa|date=February 2, 2006|newspaper=[[Pittsburgh City Paper]]|access-date=May 25, 2007}}</ref> and that the furry convention was about "people talking and drawing animals and comic-book characters in sketchbooks."<ref name="AnimalPassions" /> In October 2007, a ''[[Advocate Weekly Newspapers|Hartford Advocate]]'' reporter attended [[Furry convention|FurFright 2007]] undercover because of media restrictions. She learned that the restrictions were intended to prevent misinformation, and reported that the scandalous behavior she had expected was not present.<ref>{{cite news|last=Abel|first=Jennifer|date=November 1, 2007|title=Hell Hath No Furries|url=http://www.hartfordadvocate.com/featured-news/hell-hath-no-furries.html|newspaper=Hartford Advocate|publisher=[[Advocate Weekly Newspapers]]|access-date=April 26, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100426211132/http://www.hartfordadvocate.com/featured-news/hell-hath-no-furries.html|archive-date=April 26, 2010}}</ref> A 2009 article from the [[BBC]] entitled "Who are the furries?" was the first piece of journalism to be nominated for an Ursa Major Award, a major award within the fandom.<ref name="BBC" /><ref>{{cite web|date=May 3, 2010|title=Award Winners 2009|url=http://www.ursamajorawards.org/UMA_2009.htm|publisher=Ursa Major Awards|access-date=June 25, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100610233710/http://www.ursamajorawards.org/UMA_2009.htm|archive-date=June 10, 2010|url-status=live}}</ref> The article described furry fans' belief that they will be portrayed as "mainly [[sexual obsession|obsessed with sex]]", which has led to distrust of the media and [[social research]]ers.<ref name="BBC" />
[[Milwaukee Brewers]] broadcaster [[Jim Powell (sportscaster)|Jim Powell]] was sharing a hotel with Anthrocon 2007 attendees a day before the convention and reported a negative opinion of furries.<ref>{{cite news|date=July 6, 2007|title=The Brewers Meet the Furries|url=http://deadspin.com/sports/does-he-prefer-furries%2C-mr%27-belvedere-or-his-stalker/the-brewers-meet-the-furries-275569.php|work=[[Deadspin]]|last=Leitch|access-date=June 7, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070710020239/http://deadspin.com/sports/does-he-prefer-furries,-mr'-belvedere-or-his-stalker/the-brewers-meet-the-furries-275569.php|archive-date=July 10, 2007|url-status=live}}</ref> Several downtown Pittsburgh businesses welcome furries during the event, with local business owners creating special T-shirts and drawing paw prints in chalk outside their shops to attract attendees.<ref>{{cite news |last=Parry |first=Laurence |date=July 17, 2007 |title=Anthrocon 2007 Draws Thousands to Pittsburgh for Furry Weekend |url=http://en.wikinews.org/wiki/Anthrocon_2007_draws_thousands_to_Pittsburgh_for_furry_weekend |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090312063339/http://en.wikinews.org/wiki/Anthrocon_2007_draws_thousands_to_Pittsburgh_for_furry_weekend |archive-date=March 12, 2009 |access-date=November 6, 2009 |newspaper=[[Wikinews]]}}</ref> [[Samuel Conway]], CEO of Anthrocon, said "For the most part, people give us curious stares, but they're good-natured curious stares. We're here to have fun, people have fun having us here, everybody wins".<ref>{{cite news|date=June 26, 2008|title=Furry Convention Creates Wild Scene In Pittsburgh|url=http://www.wpxi.com/news/16721130/detail.html|publisher=WPXI News|access-date=July 4, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081205050919/http://www.wpxi.com/news/16721130/detail.html|archive-date=December 5, 2008}}</ref> Positive coverage was generated following a [[furry convention]] that was held in a [[Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada|Vancouver]] hotel where several [[Syrian]] [[refugee]]s were being temporarily housed. Despite some concerns and warnings by staff that there could be a negative [[culture clash]] if the two groups interacted, the refugee children were on the whole delighted to meet the convention goers, especially those in fursuits.<ref>{{cite news|last=Ferreras|first=Jesse|date=March 10, 2016|title=Syrian Refugees Get Put Up in Same Hotel As Furries. Kids LOVE It.|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2016/03/10/furries-convention-syrian-refugee-kids-vancouver_n_9432534.html|work=The Huffington Post|access-date=December 27, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161227195514/http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2016/03/10/furries-convention-syrian-refugee-kids-vancouver_n_9432534.html|archive-date=December 27, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Brennan |first=Christopher |date=March 10, 2016 |title=Syrian Refugee Children Dance with Furries After Being Placed in Same Hotel as VancouFur Convention |url=http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/syrian-refugees-meet-furries-surreal-scene-vancouver-h-article-1.2559408 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170107000611/http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/syrian-refugees-meet-furries-surreal-scene-vancouver-h-article-1.2559408 |archive-date=January 7, 2017 |access-date=December 27, 2016 |newspaper=New York Daily News}}</ref>
A 2008 survey found that about half of furries perceived public reaction to the fandom as negative at the time.<ref name="ThirdSurvey">{{cite web |last=Osaki |first=Alex "Klisoura" |title=Furry Survey |url=http://www.klisoura.com/ot_furrysurvey.php |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080915212057/http://www.klisoura.com/ot_furrysurvey.php |archive-date=September 15, 2008 |date=2008}}</ref> College students and fantasy sports fans surveyed from 2016 to 2023 corroborate the negative perception of the fandom felt by its members; when asked to rate how they felt towards different fandoms, furries were consistently among the most negatively-judged groups, being placed alongside [[brony|bronies]] and [[juggalo]]s.{{Sfn|Plante|Reysen|Adams|Roberts|2023|pp=657-665}} Many furries have been subject to [[bullying]] due to their identity and may be reluctant to disclose their participation in the furry fandom to friends and family due to the stigma it poses. Furries working in [[public service]] may fear reprisal if their colleagues were to discover their identity;{{Sfn|Plante|Reysen|Adams|Roberts|2023|pp=666-673}} in one instance, a councilman in [[New Milford, Connecticut]] was forced to resign after being outed as furry.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Lytton |first1=Barry |last2=Koerting |first2=Katrina |date=September 7, 2017 |title=New Milford Councilman Resigns After Furor Over "Furry" Activities |url=https://www.newstimes.com/local/article/New-Milford-councilman-resigns-after-furor-over-12181577.php |access-date=January 13, 2026 |newspaper=[[The News-Times]]}}</ref> Furries have been targeted with violence even at conventions, as was the case in the [[2014 Midwest FurFest gas attack]].<ref name="Chachkevitch">{{Cite news |last1=Chachkevitch |first1=Alexandra |last2=Ziezulewicz |first2=Geoff |date=December 7, 2014 |title='Furry' Convention Disrupted as 'Intentional' Gas Incident Sends 19 to Hospitals |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/chi-19-hospitalized-thousands-evacuated-in-gas-leak-at-rosemont-hotel-20141207-story.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150101071229/https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/chi-19-hospitalized-thousands-evacuated-in-gas-leak-at-rosemont-hotel-20141207-story.html |archive-date=January 1, 2015 |access-date=June 10, 2024 |work=[[Chicago Tribune]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=McNally |first=Victoria |date=December 9, 2014 |title=Let's Stop Making Jokes About Furries While Discussing That Recent Terrorist Attack on Furries |url=https://www.themarysue.com/furry-con-terrorist-attack/}}</ref><!--Film company [[Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures|Walt Disney Studios]] marketed their animated feature film ''[[Zootopia]]'' in pre-release to the fandom to encourage interest in the film, which proved a major critical and commercial success.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Notopoulos |first=Katie |title=Proof Disney Is Actually Marketing 'Zootopia' to Furries |url=https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/katienotopoulos/proof-disney-is-actually-marketing-zootopia-to-furries |website=Buzzfeed |date=March 2, 2016 |access-date=April 25, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210216031509/https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/katienotopoulos/proof-disney-is-actually-marketing-zootopia-to-furries |archive-date=February 16, 2021 |url-status=live}}</ref>-->
In 2021 and 2022, media coverage in Canada and the United States focused on [[Litter boxes in schools|false rumors about litter boxes in schools]] being provided for furries, which was part of a cultural backlash amplified by [[Conservatism in the United States|conservative]] and [[far-right]] politicians against [[transgender]] accommodations in schools.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Todd |first=Dorman |date=May 13, 2020 |title=School Litter Box Fever Will Not Die in Iowa |url=https://www.thegazette.com/staff-columnists/school-litter-box-fever-will-not-die-in-iowa/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221005071156/https://www.thegazette.com/staff-columnists/school-litter-box-fever-will-not-die-in-iowa/ |archive-date=October 5, 2022 |access-date=October 6, 2022 |newspaper=[[The Gazette (Cedar Rapids)|The Gazette]] |quote=The solution, obviously, is to take tens of millions of dollars from public schools and give it to private schools, because parents should be scared to send their kids to public schools.}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Dalbey |first=Beth |date=September 7, 2022 |title=Debunked School Restroom Litter Box Claims Resurface With New Year |work=[[Patch.com]] |url=https://patch.com/us/across-america/debunked-school-restroom-litter-box-claims-resurface-new-year |access-date=October 5, 2022 |archive-date=October 5, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221005160327/https://patch.com/us/across-america/debunked-school-restroom-litter-box-claims-resurface-new-year |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Nolan Brown |first=Elizabeth |date=March 29, 2022 |title=No, Schools Aren't Accommodating Students Who Identify as Animals |url=https://reason.com/2022/03/29/no-schools-arent-accommodating-students-who-identify-as-animals/ |website=Reason.com |access-date=September 5, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220905194442/https://reason.com/2022/03/29/no-schools-arent-accommodating-students-who-identify-as-animals/ |archive-date=September 5, 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref> Hoaxes about animal-like behavior in schools, including the use of litter boxes, led to the 2025 proposal of [[FURRIES Act|a bill to ban animal-like behavior and accessories]]<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bahari |first=Sarah |date=March 17, 2025 |title=Texas Bill Would Ban 'Furry Subculture' From Public Schools |url=https://www.dallasnews.com/news/texas/2025/03/17/texas-bill-would-ban-furry-subculture-from-public-schools/ |access-date=January 13, 2026 |website=[[The Dallas Morning News]] |language=en |issn=1553-846X |oclc=1035116631}}</ref> that failed to pass committee in Texas.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Texas House Bill 54 |url=https://legiscan.com/TX/text/HB54/id/3176032 |access-date=January 13, 2026 |website=Legiscan |language=en-US}}</ref>
==See also== * [[Cosplay]] * [[Costumed performer]] * [[Human–animal hybrid]] * [[Kemonomimi]] * [[Quadrobics]] ===Documentaries=== * [[A Tail of Identity (short documentary)|''A Tail of Identity'']] * [[Fursonas (film)|''Fursonas'']] * ''[[The Fandom]]''
===Related subcultures=== * [[Brony]] * [[Kemonā]] * [[Sonic the Hedgehog fandom|''Sonic the Hedgehog'' fandom]]
==References== {{Reflist}}
=== Sources === * {{cite journal | last1 = Gerbasi | first1 = Kathleen |last2=Paolone |first2=Nicholas|last3=Higner |first3=Justin|last4=Scaletta |first4=Laura|last5=Bernstein |first5=Penny|last6=Conway |first6=Samuel|last7= Privitera |first7=Adam | year = 2008 | title = Furries From A to Z (Anthropomorphism to Zoomorphism) | journal = Society & Animals | volume = 16 |doi=10.1163/156853008X323376 | issue = 3 | access-date = January 14, 2026 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180928175726/http://www.animalsandsociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/gerbasi.pdf | archive-date = September 28, 2018 | url-status = live |pages=197–222 |url=https://www.animalsandsociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/gerbasi.pdf }} * {{Cite book|doi=10.1007/978-3-030-43554-7|last1=Labarre |first1=Nicolas |date=April 10, 2020 |title=Understanding Genres in Comics|publisher=Palgrave Pivot Cham| isbn=978-3-030-43553-0}} * {{Cite book|last1=Plante|first1=Courtney N.|last2=Reysen|first2=Stephen|last3=Roberts|first3=Sharon E.|last4=Gerbasi|first4=Kathleen C.|year=2016|title=FurScience! A summary of five years of research from the International Anthropomorphic Research Project|url=https://www.furscience.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Fur-Science-Final-pdf-for-Website_2017_10_18.pdf|location=Waterloo, Ontario|publisher=FurScience|isbn=978-0-9976288-0-7|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170424000612/https://sites.google.com/site/anthropomorphicresearch/home/publications|archive-date=April 24, 2017|url-status=live}} * {{Cite book |url=https://furscience.com/publications/ |title=Furscience: A Decade of Psychological Research on the Furry Fandom |publisher=International Anthropomorphic Research Project |year=2023 |isbn=978-0-9976288-3-8 |editor-last=Plante |editor-first=Courtney N. |location=Commerce, Texas, USA |language=en |editor-last2=Reysen |editor-first2=Stephen |editor-last3=Adams |editor-first3=Camielle |editor-last4=Roberts |editor-first4=Sharon E. |editor-last5=Gerbasi |editor-first5=Kathleen C.}}
==External links== {{Commons}}
* [[wikifur:WikiFur_Furry_Central/800|WikiFur]], a furry [[open encyclopedia]]
{{furry fandom|state=collapsed}} {{Fandom}} {{Authority control}}
[[Category:Furry fandom| ]] [[Category:Anthropomorphic animals]] [[Category:Subcultures]] [[Category:Types of communities]]