Today I’d like to write about the “why” associated with the furry community which I’ve been a part of for over three years, however to do that I’m going to first need to slightly inform some of you on “what” furries are and have become.

Furries are all around us just as many social groups tend to be. It’s becoming commonplace to meet people at schools, especially colleges such as I have, who are associated with the furry community. Simply put,

Someone who says they are furry is generally expressing an interest in anthropomorphic animals and/or creatures ^{(1 Wikifur)}.

Which is a rather good way to describe the gist of it, for more information on the “What” view my sources. My reasons for joining the furry fandom began simply out of curiosity and boredom; which then grew into wonder, fun, and interaction. I found there was a vast close-knit community where friendships formed quickly when they didn’t already exist. From site to site you can find furry groups full of people who typically know one another and often warmly invite the new. These communities are held together by people with all kinds of interests who converge and share.

Remaining active in the fandom proved to be quite simple. I found that I could help individuals by speaking with them about their troubles or by sharing and collecting art. I’ve been collecting furry artwork since I joined the fandom and it’s been a great hobby of mine just as people collect photography, web design, fun wallpapers, funny pictures and other such things. One would jump to quickly point the finger that I’m dodging the bullet by not mentioning erotic furry artwork, however I would simply have to show them my collection of over a thousand entirely clean images of all kinds along with some music as well; some of which you may find awfully familiar and that collection grows as the community shares more.

As I’ve said before furries are everywhere; as many of you recognize this nearly meme status tune by Renald of vulpvibe in the album Furries in a Blender entitled “John Freeman”. From drawings, animations, and music, to cosplay clothing and fursuits. Some individuals collect, create, and share these wearable artworks to visit Furcons (Meetups). Not only is this an interesting craft and expression but this introduces one of the main reasons why the furry community has stayed strong throughout the years, commissions.

Commissions are a driving force of the furry community which allow for the talented to earn a reputation and sometimes a living while allowing the less talented to integrate into the community and further the art sharing process. Recently my friend and I have donated, in a sense, to the fandom by having a commission done of our fursonas (fandom characters) which acted as coloring practice for myself and avatars for us to use in various communities for a better sense of digital identity. On the internet no one is directly interacting with you, after all, and thus people from the fandom create these fursona characters in a way to form this digital identity.

Having a fursona is about being able to express oneself in a clear and concise way, more than what a simple closeup of your face could accomplish. This is what I feel lies at the center of the question, “Why furry?” because a fursona allows for your interests and core personality to be shown in a single entity. The ways that people express theirselves through fursonas can be really interesting, which makes me feel like humans are just visually boring. I wouldn’t go around collecting images of people wearing different clothes after all.

Expressing yourself through your fursona creates your digital identity and helps define your personality in the furry fandom. Many relationships are formed through the fandom and this is partially due to the hints of yourself shown through this fursona. Who you choose to portray yourself as and how subtly tells a lot about you. From choosing a species, to your color and furr patterns, to your clothing and accessories with more possibilities than you can choose in real life.

The biggest Why behind being a furry may just be because it’s fun. From roleplaying to art creation and sharing to the friendships and relationships that form: everyone is just having fun. Though there will be the few who give furries a bad name that comes with any diverse community. Through all the drama in the end people get over it and just have fun. That is why I am a furry.

Citation:
Wikifur, Someone who says they are furry is…