Last weekend, Boston’s Seaport district buzzed with energy as thousands of furries and members of the furry fandom gathered at The Westin for the eighth annual Anthro New England (ANE) furry convention. From January 16 to January 19, 5,700 attendees (5,761 to be exact) from across the globe came together to celebrate their shared passion for anthropomorphic art, costumes, and creativity.
The furry fandom is a subculture centered around an interest in cartoon animals with human characteristics. For many, this includes creating “fursonas”—personalized animal personas—and sometimes dressing in elaborate fursuits. At ANE, only about 20% of attendees sported fursuits, while others opted for casual attire or accessories reflecting their characters.
The hotel’s lobby remained a vibrant tapestry of costumes ranging from anime and video game-inspired designs to homemade fursuits. Downstairs, the convention’s vendor hall was a bustling marketplace offering everything from comics and art to costume parts and niche collectibles.
A Growing Tradition
Founded in 2014, ANE hosted its first convention in Cambridge in 2015 and has grown steadily since then. 2025 marked its third year at The Westin and reflected the fandom’s ever-expanding popularity. According to longtime vendor Michael Lutrario, “Thirty years ago, a big furry con had about 500 attendees. Now, we’re seeing conventions regularly hit the tens of thousands.”
This year’s ANE offered a diverse range of experiences, including costumed dances, art panels, and gaming rooms, fostering a vibrant space for creativity and connection.
The Heart of the Furry Fandom
For many attendees, ANE is more than a convention—it’s a reunion of like-minded friends. A common refrain heard throughout the weekend was, “I already miss my furry friends,” reflecting the deep bonds within the community.
Event organizers highlighted how ANE creates a safe, inclusive space where attendees feel free to express themselves. “Even the most introverted person can put on a fursuit, step on stage, and shine. It’s amazing to see how this community brings out the best in people,” Gouise shared.
Post-Con Blues: Navigating the Aftermath
While the convention buzz lasted through the weekend, many attendees experience what’s known as “post-con depression” in the days after the event. This phenomenon is common among convention-goers, as the excitement of being surrounded by like-minded individuals gives way to the reality of returning to everyday life.
“It’s always bittersweet,” said an anoymous source, a vendor and trans man who credits the furry community for helping him find confidence in his identity. “You spend months looking forward to it, and suddenly it’s over. But those connections you make? They stay with you.”
Attendees often combat the post-con blues by staying active in online furry communities, revisiting photos and memories from the event, and planning for the next convention. As one participant put it, “It’s hard to say goodbye, but knowing I’ll see my furry friends again keeps me going.”
Giving Back
Beyond the festivities, ANE is committed to making a positive impact. This year, attendees raised over $20,000 for sponsored charities, including Queer Scouts, an organization dedicated to creating safe spaces for LGBTQ+ individuals through non-traditional scouting programs.
“Scouting has always been about community, but Queer Scouts takes it to another level by centering it around inclusivity.” “It’s incredible to see how much our community can support other queer-focused initiatives.”
Queer Scouts offers outdoor adventures, skill-building workshops, and leadership training for LGBTQ+ youth and adults, ensuring a space where everyone can feel welcome and thrive.
As ANE 2025 fades into fond memory, the spirit of the furry fandom lives on—vibrant, inclusive, and ever-growing. With thousands of attendees already counting the days until the next gathering, the furry community continues to prove that its creativity and camaraderie are unmatched.
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