furr

Furr is a shorthand for participants in the furry fandom, a subculture centered on anthropomorphic animal characters—creatures with human-like intelligence and behaviors. The term is often used interchangeably with furry, and "furr" may reflect casual speech or self-description. The movement emerged in the late 1980s and early 1990s among science fiction and furry mailing lists and convention circles, expanding with online communities, art networks, and fan storytelling.

Practitioners create and share art, stories, costumes, and performances. They develop fursonas, personal anthropomorphic avatars that represent themselves in artworks and role-play. Creative outputs include drawings, comics, animations, music, games, and online writing. Fursuits—elaborate costumes that portray fursonas—are a visible aspect of the culture, especially at conventions, but many participants express themselves through non-costumed art and activities.

Community structure and culture. Online spaces such as forums, social media, and chat platforms facilitate collaboration and discussion. Local meetups and international conventions—such as Anthrocon and Midwest FurFest—offer programming, art shows, and charity fundraising. The community generally emphasizes inclusivity, consent, and privacy, with codes of conduct at events to foster respectful environments.

Demographics and issues. The fandom spans a broad range of ages and includes artists, writers, gamers, and casual fans. While some content is adult-oriented, the broader community encompasses audiences of various ages, and events often enforce age restrictions for certain activities. The furry community has faced misunderstandings and stereotypes but remains a recognized subculture within broader speculative fiction, cosplay, and online art communities.