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Anthrocon

2025-07-11T01:24:50Z

2601:14D:8A00:7A60:0:0:0:7F25: /* Locations and relocations */ fixed a typo. Antrocon xD

{{Infobox convention
|name = Anthrocon
|othernames = AC, formerly as Albany AnthroCon
|logo = [[File:Anthrocon.gif|225px]]
|caption =
|subject = [[Furry]]
|location = {{flagdiv|usa|[[W:Pittsburgh|Pittsburgh]], [[W:Pennsylvania|Pennsylvania]], [[W:USA|USA]]}}
|url = https://www.anthrocon.org/
|status = Ongoing
|first =
July 3-6, 1997 (as '''Albany AnthroCon''')
July 1-4, 1999 (as '''AnthroCon''')
|final =
|organizer = [[Anthrocon, Inc.]]
|charity = Various
|resources = {{con resources}}
}}
{{Anthrocon}}
[[File:FursuiteratFernando.webp|thumb|right|250px|A [[fursuiter]] dining at [[Fernado's]].]]
[[File:Ac2005fursuitparade.jpg|thumb|right|250px|The fursuit parade at [[Anthrocon 2005]].]]
[[File:Anthrocon2005dance.jpg|thumb|right|250px|A photo of the fursuit dance at Anthrocon 2005]]
'''Anthrocon''' ('''AC'''), is an annual American [[furry convention]], and one of the [[List of conventions by attendance|largest]] [[furcon]]s in the world, with an attendance of 18,357 in [[Anthrocon 2025|2025]].

== Overview ==

The [[convention]] was founded in 1997 as '''Albany AnthroCon''', which itself an offshoot of the [[furry]] [[W:Halloween|Halloween]] [[parties]] held by [[Aloyen Youngblood]]; when attendance pushed triple digits, he decided to book a hotel and organized it as a convention in 1997 with the aid of local friends, [[Points]], [[Rigel]], and others. In its first year, the event attracted approximately 500 attendees.

In late 1998-1999, Points transferred the [[chairmanship]] of the [[convention]] to [[Dr. Samuel Conway]]. They formally organized the group as '''Anthrocon Inc.''', later renamed the convention "Anthrocon," and relocated it to Pennsylvania.

Since 1997, Anthrocon's charity auction has donated over $240,000 to local charities. The [[Science Fiction]] [[W: Security|volunteer security force]], the [[Dorsai Irregulars]], provided security for the convention from 2002 until 2019.

=== Incorporation and trademarks ===

'''Anthrocon, Inc.''' was incorporated as a [[W:Nonprofit organization|non-profit organization]] on June 25, 1998, registered as a [[W:501(c)|501(c)(7) social and recreation club]] in the state of Pennsylvania (entity [http://www.corporations.state.pa.us/corp/soskb/Corp.asp?1738650 2823650]). This classification differs from the [[W:501(c)(3)|501(c)(3)]] status of [[Midwest Furry Fandom]] and [[Anthropomorphic Arts and Education]]; most notably, donations are not tax-deductible to their donors, but in return, the company has more flexibility about its operations, and more leeway to restrict access to non-members, since it's not a club.

Applications to register the word "Anthrocon" and the [[:File:Anthrocon.gif|Anthrocon paw]] as a [[W:trademark|US trademarks]] were filed on [http://tarr.uspto.gov/servlet/tarr?regser=serial&entry=77001861 September 18] and [http://tarr.uspto.gov/servlet/tarr?regser=serial&entry=77042065 November 12, 2006]. According to these filings, the word "Anthrocon" was first used on February 1, 1997, while the paw logo was used from June 30, 1998.

== History ==
=== Locations and relocations ===

Anthrocon's first venue was the [[W:Hilton Hotels & Resorts|Hilton Hotel]] of [[W:Valley Forge, Pennsylvania|Valley Forge, Pennsylvania]] in 1999 and 2000. Due to a rapid increase in attendees, it was forced to relocate to the larger [[W:Adam's Mark|Adams Mark Hotel]] of [[W:Philadelphia, Pennsylvania|Philadelphia, Pennsylvania]] in 2001, where it became the largest furry convention ever held, with 1,457 attendees. Attendance continued to grow, and by 2004, it was 2,406.

Attendance in 2005 dropped slightly to 2,373, exacerbated by the closure of the Adams Mark Hotel, the higher parking fees the new and unfamiliar [[W:Wyndham Worldwide|Wyndham Franklin Plaza]] hotel in downtown Philadelphia, and (possibly) due to [[W:Hurricane Dennis|Hurricane Dennis]]' effect on the southern United States, which closed many airports and prevented people from traveling.

Attendance increased again in 2006 with the move to the [[W:David L. Lawrence Convention Center|David Lawrence Convention Center]] in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, reaching 2,489, but due to scheduling conflicts, the convention had to leave its regular July timeslot temporarily and was held on June 15-18. This move to Pittsburgh was envisioned by AC's [[Board of Directors]] as early as October 2004, prior to the sale of the Adam's Mark Hotel, due to AC's increasing attendance. During this time, AC solicited opinions about the move to Pittsburgh.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20041030112340/http://www.anthrocon.org/info.cgi/ac2007 ''A new home for Anthrocon in 2007?''] post on Anthrocon's official website. Retrieved June 1, 2025.</ref>

For all years since, AC was held at the David Lawrence Convention Center, with yearly growth of ~10%, up until post-COVID iterations when yearly growth reached a peak of 40% from 2022 to 2023.

=== Covid-19 pandemic ===

In 2020, Anthrocon was not held in person due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]] outbreak. [[Online convention]]s were held in 2020 and 2021, using [[W:Virtual workplace|virtual meeting spaces]] and [[VRChat]]. The convention returned to being in person in 2022, with attendees required to provide [[W:Vaccine passports during the COVID-19 pandemic|proof of vaccination]] and wear [[W:Face masks during the COVID-19 pandemic|medical face masks]]. These requirements were rescinded in 2024.

=== New Fursuit Parade Restrictions ===
For the fursuit parade in 2025, Anthrocon implemented a set of restrictions in order to handle the continually growing levels of attendance and parade participation that resulted in unmanageably large crowds, long wait times for parade participants, and concerns for parade participant safety. Among other rules such as a simple cap on the number of parade participants allowed, Anthrocon implemented a new standard of dress.

This standard of dress included points such as requiring costumes to be anthropomorphic in nature (e.g. adding ears to costume armor would not meet the standard of dress), and explicitly prohibiting costumes that normally violate the convention's standards of contact (e.g. tactical gear and fetish wear). One particularly controversial rule, per se, was the requirement that partial fursuits must incorporate more elements that together define the character, in addition to a head, hands, and optional tail. The [https://www.anthrocon.org/parade-block-party/#parade-rules exact wording] states "no human skin should be showing," which many interpreted to mean a ban on poodling. '''Poodling''' refers to wearing fursuit parts in such a way that shows human skin; e.g., wearing a fursuit head, hand paws, and tail, while wearing a shirt and shorts, that together show human skin on the forearms and legs. This standard of dress created much controversy, as many criticized the convention for "banning" poodling. Despite the discouragement, some attendees still participated in the parade with skin showing in their partial suit. Compared to more explicit prohibitions on fetish-related or mobility-restricting clothing such as attached leashes, the standards for partial fursuiting was a discouragement solely for the parade, as there was no such enforcement during the rest of the convention.

== Anthrocon and Pittsburgh ==

Currently, Anthrocon operates with the support of the [[W:Pittsburgh|city of Pittsburgh]] and local businesses. AC's own ''[[Show Your Badge]]'' program works with the city's own ''[https://www.visitpittsburgh.com Visit Pittsburgh]'', which allows [[congoer]]s to visit many of Pittsburgh's landmarks at a reduced cost.

The convention collaborates with over a dozen hotels in the city's downtown area, offering more affordable accommodations to many pre-registered attendees. It also charter buses from these hotels to the convention center, which attendees can use free of charge.

Some restaurants in downtown Pittsburgh offer Anthrocon-themed specials, most prominently [https://www.pizzaparma.us/ Fernando's] (now '''Pizza Parma'''), a pizzeria that re-themes itself to '''''Furryland''''' during the convention weekend.<ref>[https://www.pghcitypaper.com/news/furry-friends-pittsburgh-restaurants-welcome-anthrocon-furries-with-specials-signs-and-long-straws-9244633 ''Furry friends: Pittsburgh restaurants welcome Anthrocon furries with specials, signs and long straws''] article on the [[W:Pittsburgh City Paper|Pittsburgh City Paper]]. Dated July 04, 2018. Retrieved May 29, 2025.</ref>

Anthrocon generates a substantial amount of business for downtown Pittsburgh, with attendees [https://www.wtae.com/article/anthrocon-2024-pittsburgh-business-hotels/61503860 estimated to spend over $70 million] in 2024.

== Mascot(s) ==

Anthrocon itself doesn't have a single official [[mascot]].

== Programming and amenities ==

* [[Opening ceremonies|Opening]] and [[closing ceremonies]]
* [[Dealers' Den]]
* [[Artists' Alley]]
* [[Art Show]]s (General and [[Adult|Mature]])
* [[Art Show auction]]
* [[Charity auction]]
* [[Masquerade]]
* [[Stand-up comedy]]
* [[UKSH|"Uncle Kage's Story Hour"]]
* [[Fursuit parade]]
* [[Fursuit block party]]
* [[Fursuit dance competition]] and [[Floor_Wars|Floor Wars]]
* Art-related, Costumery-related, and other artistic how-to [[panel]]s, workshops, and demonstrations
* [[Table-top]] card and [[role-playing]] [[game]]s
* [[Game room]] and tournaments
* [[W:Special interest group|Special-interest]], [[species]]-related, and [[lifestyle]] group panels
* [[Puppetry]] instructionals
* Various [[social dance]]s ([[W:Electronica|Electronica]]/[[W:Electronic dance music|EDM]] music dances, [[fursuit]]-friendly dances, era-themed dances, [[musical performance]]s by [[furry fandom]] [[DJ]]s)
* [[Internet room]]
* "[[The Zoo]]" (a spacious general social area. This was deprecated in 2022 instead of multiple, smaller breakout Zoo areas)
* [[Supersponsor luncheon]]

== Leadership and staff==

The convention's [[chairman]] is [[Dr. Samuel Conway]] (also known as ''Kagemushi''' or ''Uncle Kage''' by attendees), who oversees AC's operations with the help of [[staff]] and [[volunteer]]s who donate their time and energy throughout the weekend to assist with the multitude of small tasks that arise.

=== Board of Directors ===

* [[Tim "The Foxish" Mithee]] - [[Dealers Den|Dealers' Room]], [[photography]]
* [[Gen. Talon|Kenneth "Gen. Talon" Baker]] - A/V
* [[Dr. Valentina “Nuclear Space Cat” O’Donnell]] - [[Registration]]
* [[Kuddle Pup|John "K.P." Cole]] - [[Public outreach]]
* [[Christopher “Sparf” Williams]] - [[Events]]
* [[PeterCat|Peter "PeterCat" Kappesser]] - [[Art show]]
* [[Tigerwolf (Tigerden administrator)|George "Tigerwolf" Nemeyer]] - [[Internet room]]
* [[Ysera|Paige “Ysera” Ward]] - [[Publications]]
* [[Talyn_(Virginia)|Scott "Talyn" Williams]] - [[Con Ops|Operations]]
* [[Jeffrey “Humphrey” Costa]] - [[Public safety]]
* [[Douglas “Chittebengo” Payne]] - [[Finances]]
* [[Ronnie|Isaac "Ronnie" Tan]] - [[Digital services]]

=== General staff ===

{{main|:Category:Anthrocon staff}}

==Guests of Honor==

* 1997 - [[Artist]]s [[Daphne Lage]] and [[Watts Martin]]
* 1998 - Artists [[Jeffrey A. Carver]] and [[Jim Groat]]
* 1999 - [[Author]] [[S. Andrew Swann]] and artist [[Vicky Wyman]]
* 2000 - Artist [[Sara Miles|Caribou]] (formerly '''Sara Palmer''') and author [[Pauli Kidd]]
* 2001 - [[Comic book]] artist [[Dan DeCarlo]] (creator of ''[[W:Josie and the Pussycats (comics)|Josie and the Pussycats]]''), and [[cartoonist|syndicated cartoonist]] [[Bill Holbrook]]
* 2002 - Artist [[Heather Bruton]] and author [[Lisanne Norman]] (of the [[Sholan Alliance]] Series)
* 2003 - Artists [[Guy Gilchrist]] and [[Mark E. Rogers]]
* 2004 - Artists [[Michel Gagné]] and [[Stan Sakai]] (creator of ''[[Usagi Yojimbo]]'')
* 2005 - Artists [[Emily Amadhia Albee-King]] ("[[Kaze: Ghost Warrior|Kaze: Ghost Warrior]]") and [[W:Peter Laird|Peter Laird]], co-creator of ''[[Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles]]''
* 2006 - [[Fantasy author]] [[W:Diane Duane|Diane Duane]], [[writer]]/[[animator]]/[[cartoonist]]/artist [[Scott Shaw!]], and (as a "Special Guest") [[Filk]] [[musician]] [[W:Tom Smith (filker)|Tom Smith]]
* 2007 - Television/[[animation writer]] [[W:Mark Evanier|Mark Evanier]], comic artist [[Carolyn Kelly]] (of the [[syndicated comic strip]] ''[[Pogo]]''), and [[voice actor]] [[W:Rob Paulsen|Rob Paulsen]] (''[[Animaniacs]]'', ''[[Pinky and the Brain]]'', ''[[Gummi Bears]]'' and ''Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles'')
* 2008 - Animator and [[Disney]] Legend [[W:Floyd Norman|Floyd Norman]]
* 2009 - [[Character designer]] and [[storyboard artist]] [[W:Ben Balistreri|Ben Balistreri]] (''[[Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends]]'' and ''[[Seaweed the Pelican]]''), [[creator]]/[[producer]] [[W:Bob Boyle (animator)|Bob Boyle]] (''[[Wow! Wow! Wubbzy!]]'' and ''[[Yin Yang Yo!]]''), and cartoonist and artist [[Joe Harris]] (creator of [[Underdog]] and the [[Trix Rabbit]])
* 2010 - Author [[W:James Gurney|James Gurney]] (''[[W:Dinotopia|Dinotopia]]'' book series), and [[W:Sesame Street|Sesame Street]] [[puppeteer]]/[[director]] [[W:Jim_Martin_(puppeteer)|Jim Martin]]
* 2011 - Artist [[W:Andy Runton|Andy Runton]] (''[[Owly]]''), and author [[Peter_S._Beagle|Peter S. Beagle]] (''[[The Last Unicorn]]'')
* 2012 - Creative director/art director/freelance [[illustrator]] [[Dev Madan]], animator and comic artist [[Mike Kazaleh]], and Japanese [[fursuiter]] and [[W:Acrobatics|acrobat]] [[Sardyuon]]
* 2013 - [[Fantasy artist]] and [[novelist]] [[Larry Dixon]], author [[W:Mercedes Lackey|Mercedes Lackey]], animation producer/writer/story editor and storyboard artist [[W:Tom Minton|Tom Minton]], and Sardyuon
* 2014 - Voice actors [[W:Jim Cummings|Jim Cummings]] (''[[Darkwing Duck]]'', ''[[Winnie the Pooh]]'', ''[[The Lion King]]'', ''[[W:Baldur's Gate|Baldur's Gate]]'', ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog]]'') and [[W:Lee Tockar|Lee Tockar]] (''[[My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic]]'', ''[[Yakkity Yak]]'')
* 2015 - Voice actor [[W:Kimlinh Tran|Kimlinh Tran]] and [[Mascot|sports mascot]], [[W:The San Diego Chicken|The San Diego Chicken]]
* 2016 - Animation genius [[W:Joaquin Baldwin|Joaquin Baldwin]], voice artist [[W:Trevor Devall|Trevor Devall]], and illustrator/[[graphic designer]] [[Tracy Butler]]
* 2017 - Voice actor [[W:Charlie Adler|Charlie Adler]]
* 2018 - [[Animation artist]] [[Len Simon]], one of the main [[animation lead]]s on ''[[W:|Anastasia]]'' and animation character director on ''[[Bartok the Magnificent]]'' and ''[[Titan AE]]'', and artist [[Ursula Vernon]], creator of the ''[[lol wut]]'' (''[[The Biting Pear of Salamanca]]''), and the [[webcomic]] ''[[Digger]]''
* 2019 - Voice actor [[Benjamin Diskin]], artist [[Steve Gallacci]], and [[W:Esports|eSports player]] [[SonicFox5000]]
* 2020 - [[VRChat]] content creator [[Firr]] and furry artist [[SueDeer]] (Cancelled <nowiki>[</nowiki>[[COVID-19 pandemic]]<nowiki>]</nowiki>. Replaced with [[Virtual Anthrocon]])
* 2021 - (Cancelled [COVID-19 pandemic]. Replaced with Virtual Anthrocon)
* 2022 - French artist and animator [[Kévin Gemin]] ('''Kékéflipnote''') and American artist SueDeer
* 2023 - [[W:Pittsburgh|The City of Pittsburgh]]
* 2024 - (???)
* 2025 - No GoH(s)
* 2026 - TBA
* 2027 - TBA

==Themes==

* 1997 - '''''An East Coast Furry Convention'''''
* 1998 - '''''Here There Be Dragons'''''
* 1999 - '''''Join the Furry Revolution'''''
* 2000 - '''''Furries of Myth and Legend'''''
* 2001 - '''''Furries in Flight'''''
* 2002 - '''''Inventions'''''
* 2003 - '''''Creatures of the Night'''''
* 2004 - '''''Summer Games'''''
* 2005 - '''''Heroes'''''
* 2006 - '''''Making History'''''
* 2007 - '''''Looking to the Future'''''
* 2008 - '''''It's a Jungle Out There'''''
* 2009 - '''''OMG Aliens!'''''
* 2010 - '''''Modern Stone-Age Furries'''''
* 2011 - '''''The Anthropomorphic Institute of Magic'''''
* 2012 - '''''A Midsummer Night's Dream'''''
* 2013 - '''''The Fast and The Furrious'''''
* 2014 - '''''Secret Societies'''''
* 2015 - '''''Viking Invasion!'''''
* 2016 - '''''Roaring "Twenty"''''' (20th anniversary)
* 2017 - '''''Take Me Out To The Ballgame'''''
* 2018 - '''''Movie Monsters'''''
* 2019 - '''''Surf Pacific'''''
* 2020 - '''''Aesop's Fables''''' (Cancelled [COVID-19 pandemic]. Replaced with Virtual Anthrocon)
* 2021 - (Cancelled [COVID-19 pandemic]. Replaced with Virtual Anthrocon)
* 2022 - '''''Aesop's Fables'''''
* 2023 - '''''Anthropolis: We Built This City'''''
* 2024 - '''''AnthroCoaster!'''''
* 2025 - '''''Deep Sea Adventures'''''
* 2026 - '''''Critters Cryptids and Curses'''''
* 2027 - TBA

==Charities==

Every year, Anthrocon selects a local animal-related charity as the beneficiary of its charity auction.<ref>[http://www.anthrocon.org/history Charity history] on Anthrocon's website. Retrieved June 19, 2012.</ref>

* 1997 - ''[[Therapy Dogs]]'' ($2,200)
* 1998 - ''[[Whiskers (charity)|Whiskers]]'' ($3,092)
* 1999 - ''[[Great Valley Nature Center]]'' ($3.6K)
* 2000 - ''[[National Greyhound Adoption Program]]'' ($6.5K)
* 2001 - ''[[Reins of Life]]'' ($7,273)
* 2002 - ''[[Canine Partners for Life]]'' ($13,280)
* 2003 - ''[[Support Our Shelters]]'' ($8,348)
* 2004 - ''[[Forgotten Felines & Fidos]]'' ($7.2K)
* 2005 - ''[http://www.gpsar.org/ Greater Philadelphia Search and Rescue]'' ($6,470)
* 2006 - ''[http://www.wildanimal.org/ Western Pennsylvania National Wild Animal Orphanage]'' ($8,407)
* 2007 - ''[http://www.animal-friends.org/ Animal Friends]'' ($7,608)
* 2008 - ''[http://pages.prodigy.net/zazubird/ppr.htm Pittsburgh Parrot Rescue]'' ($13,154)
* 2009 - ''[http://www.animalrescue.org/ Animal Rescue League Wildlife Rehabilitation Center]'' ($8,992)
* 2010 - ''[http://www.fayettefriendsofanimals.net/ Fayette Friends of Animals]'' ($12,849)
* 2011 - ''[http://www.toonseum.org/ Toonseum]'' ($11,522)
* 2012 - ''[http://www.hellobully.com/ Hello Bully]'' ($20,656)
* 2013 - ''[http://equineangelsrescue.com/ Equine Angels Rescue]'' ($31,255)
* 2014 - ''[http://aviary.org/ The National Aviary]'' ($32,372)
* 2015 - ''[https://www.wpahumane.org/ Western Pennsylvania Humane Society]'' ($35,910)
* 2016 - ''[http://www.pittsburghzoo.org/ Pittsburgh Zoo]'' ($30,880)
* 2017 - ''[http://www.hopehavenfarm.org/ Hope Haven Farm Sanctuary]'' ($37,598)
* 2018 - ''[https://www.southhillspetrescue.org/ South Hills Pet Rescue]'' ($42,051)
* 2019 - ''[https://www.pearlparrots.com/ PEARL Parrot Rescue]'' ($46,440)
* 2020 - ''[https://www.wildlifeworksinc.org/ Wildlife Works, Inc.]'' (Undisclosed)
* 2021 - '''''Wildlife Works, Inc.''''' ($20,000+)
* 2022 - '''''Wildlife Works, Inc.''''' ($41,553)
* 2023 - ''[https://www.rabbitwranglers.org/ Rabbit Wranglers]'' ($52,000)
* 2024 - ''[https://graypaws.org/ Gray Paws Sanctuary]'' ($100,000+)
* 2025 - ''[https://www.nose2tailcatrescue.org/ Nose 2 Tail Cat Rescue]'' ($87,267)
* 2026 - TBA (TBD)

==Attendance==

Except for [[Anthrocon 2005]], AC's attendance has increased yearly. Membership in the fursuit parade has also increased, rising from 5.9% of members in 2005 to a peak of 28.7% in 2016. 
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! scope="col" | Con year
! scope="col" | PreReg
! scope="col" | % +/-
! scope="col" | Attendance
! scope="col" | % +/-
! scope="col" | Artists
! scope="col" | % +/-
! scope="col" | Fursuiters
! scope="col" | % +/-
! scope="col" | Fursuit parade
! scope="col" | % +/-
! scope="col" | Notes
|-
! scope="row" style="font-weight: normal; text-align: center;" | Albany AnthroCon 1997
| ?
| ?
| 500'''²'''
| N/A
| ?
| ?
| Unknown'''¹'''
| N/A
| Unknown'''¹'''
| N/A
| Hilton Hotel of Valley Forge (original venue)
|-
! scope="row" style="font-weight: normal; text-align: center;" | Albany AnthroCon 1998
| ?
| ?
| 600'''²'''
| 20%
| ?
| ?
| Unknown'''¹'''
| N/A
| Unknown'''¹'''
| N/A
|
|-
! scope="row" style="font-weight: normal; text-align: center;" | Anthrocon 1999
| ?
| ?
| 845
| 40.8%
| ?
| ?
| Unknown'''¹'''
| N/A
| Unknown'''¹'''
| N/A
| Change of venue (Adams Mark Hotel)
|-
! scope="row" style="font-weight: normal; text-align: center;" | 2000
| ?
| ?
| 1,128
| 33.4%
| ?
| ?
| Unknown'''¹'''
| N/A
| Unknown'''¹'''
| N/A
| Change of venue (Adams Mark Hotel)
|-
! scope="row" style="font-weight: normal; text-align: center;" | 2001
| ?
| ?
| 1,457
| 29.2%
| ?
| ?
| Unknown'''¹'''
| N/A
| Unknown'''¹'''
| N/A
|
|-
! scope="row" style="font-weight: normal; text-align: center;" | 2002
| ?
| ?
| 1,648
| 13.1%
| ?
| ?
| Unknown'''¹'''
| N/A
| Unknown'''¹'''
| N/A
|
|-
! scope="row" style="font-weight: normal; text-align: center;" | 2003
| ?
| ?
| 1,949
| 18.2%
| ?
| ?
| Unknown'''¹'''
| N/A
| Unknown'''¹'''
| N/A
|
|-
! scope="row" style="font-weight: normal; text-align: center;" | 2004
| ?
| ?
| 2,404
| 23.3%
| ?
| ?
| Unknown'''¹'''
| N/A
| Unknown'''¹'''
| N/A
|
|-
! scope="row" style="font-weight: normal; text-align: center;" | 2005
| ?
| ?
| 2,370
| -1.4%
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| 140
| N/A
| Change of venue (Wyndham Franklin Plaza)
|-
! scope="row" style="font-weight: normal; text-align: center;" | 2006
| ?
| ?
| 2,489
| 5%
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| 191
| 36.4%
| Change of venue (David Lawrence Convention Center)
|-
! scope="row" style="font-weight: normal; text-align: center;" | 2007
| ?
| ?
| 2,849
| 14.5%
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| 353
| 84.8%
|
|-
! scope="row" style="font-weight: normal; text-align: center;" | 2008
| ?
| ?
| 3,390
| 19%
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| 453
| 28.3%
|
|-
! scope="row" style="font-weight: normal; text-align: center;" | 2009
| ?
| ?
| 3,777
| 11.4%
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| 640
| 41.3%
|
|-
! scope="row" style="font-weight: normal; text-align: center;" | 2010
| ?
| ?
| 4,238
| 12.2%
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| 713
| 11.4%
|
|-
! scope="row" style="font-weight: normal; text-align: center;" | 2011
| ?
| ?
| 4,402
| 3.8%
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| 854
| 19.8%
|
|-
! scope="row" style="font-weight: normal; text-align: center;" | 2012
| ?
| ?
| 5,179
| 17.7%
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| 1,044
| 22.2%
|
|-
! scope="row" style="font-weight: normal; text-align: center;" | 2013
| ?
| ?
| 5,577
| 7.68%
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| 1,300
| 24.5%
|
|-
! scope="row" style="font-weight: normal; text-align: center;" | 2014
| ?
| ?
| 5,861
| 5.09%
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| 1,326
| 2%
|
|-
! scope="row" style="font-weight: normal; text-align: center;" | 2015
| ?
| ?
| 6,386
| 9.01%
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| 1,460
| 10.11%
|
|-
! scope="row" style="font-weight: normal; text-align: center;" | 2016
| ?
| ?
| 7,310
| 14.44%
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| 2,100
| 43.34%
|
|-
! scope="row" style="font-weight: normal; text-align: center;" | 2017
| ?
| ?
| 7,554
| 3.33%
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| 1,890
| -10.00%
|
|-
! scope="row" style="font-weight: normal; text-align: center;" | 2018
| ?
| ?
| 8,407
| 11.29%
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| 1,980
| 4.76%
|
|-
! scope="row" style="font-weight: normal; text-align: center;" | 2019
| ?
| ?
| 9,358
| 11.31%
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| 2,132
| 7.67%
|
|-
! scope="row" style="font-weight: normal; text-align: center;" | 2020
| ?
| ?
| 6,136'''³'''
| N/A
| N/A
| N/A
| 2 (staff)
| N/A
| 2 (staff)
| N/A
| Cancelled (COVID-19 pandemic). Replaced with Virtual Anthrocon
|-
! scope="row" style="font-weight: normal; text-align: center;" | Anthrocon Online 2021
| N/A
| N/A
| N/A
| N/A
| N/A
| N/A
| N/A
| N/A
| N/A
| N/A
| Cancelled (COVID-19 pandemic). Replaced with Virtual Anthrocon
|-
! scope="row" style="font-weight: normal; text-align: center;" | 2022
| ?
| ?
| 9,702
| 3.68%
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| 2,562
| 20.17%
|
|-
! scope="row" style="font-weight: normal; text-align: center;" | 2023
| ?
| ?
| 13,644
| 40.63%
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| 3,127
| 22.05%
|
|-
! scope="row" style="font-weight: normal; text-align: center;" | 2024
| ?
| ?
| 17,639
| 29.84%
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| 3,371
| 7.51%
|
|-
! scope="row" style="font-weight: normal; text-align: center;" | 2025
| ?
| ?
| 18,357
| 4.07%
| TBD
| TBD
| TBD
| ?
| ?
| TBD
| [[Poodling]] was banned during the fursuit parade
|-
! scope="row" style="font-weight: normal; text-align: center;" | 2026
| TBD
| TBD
| TBD
| TBD
| TBD
| TBD
| TBD
| TBD
| TBD
| TBD
| This event with be the 20th year of AC in Pittsburgh
|-
! scope="row" style="font-weight: normal; text-align: center;" | 2027
| TBD
| TBD
| TBD
| TBD
| TBD
| TBD
| TBD
| TBD
| TBD
| TBD
|
|}

'''1.''' - Anthrocon didn't record the number of fursuiters in the fursuit parade until 2005 
'''2.''' - Estimated 
'''3.''' - Unique VRChat attendees 
'''?.''' - Data not recorded/not available

== Infographics ==
[[File:AnthroconAttendance.PNG|thumb|left|450px|attendees statistics (1997-2016)]] 

== Trivia ==

* The choice of [[Toonseum]] as a charity was made after consulting the [[furry community]] via [http://anthrocon.livejournal.com/827727.html, a LiveJournal post by] [[Rigel]]. It has been the only (fandom-approved) exception to the "[[animal]]-related only" charity rule.

== See also ==

* [[W:Anthrocon|Anthrocon]] on [[Wikipedia]]
* [[:Category:Anthrocon photographs|Anthrocon photographs on WikiFur]]

== References ==
{{reflist|2}}

== External links ==
{{FlayrahTag|Anthrocon}}
* [http://www.facebook.com/Anthrocon/ Anthrocon] on [[Facebook]] (official)
* [http://www.facebook.com/groups/Anthrocon/?source_id=103654229736847 Anthrocon] on Facebook (public)
* [http://twitter.com/anthrocon Anthrocon] on [[Twitter|X]]
* [https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:ulwyvthzao6goq6pqth2j5z3 Anthrocon] on [[BlueSky]]
* [https://t.me/anthrocon Anthrocon] on [[Telegram]]
* [https://mastodon.furrycon.social/@anthrocon Anthrocon] on [[Mastodon]]
* [https://www.instagram.com/anthrocon/ Anthrocon] on [[Instagram]]
* [http://www.youtube.com/user/anthrocon Anthrocon] on [[Youtube]]
* [https://furrycons.com/event/23777/anthrocon-2025 Anthrocon (2025)] on [https://furrycons.com/ FurryCons.com]

=== Media ===

* [https://www.cbsnews.com/pittsburgh/news/what-is-anthrocon-furry-convention-pittsburgh/ ''What is Anthrocon? The furry convention is expected to bring thousands to Pittsburgh''] article on [[W:CBSNews|CBS News]]
* [https://www.wtae.com/article/pittsburgh-economy-out-millions-because-of-canceled-events/35907481 ''Pittsburgh economy out millions because of canceled events''] article on [https://www.wtae.com/ Pittsburgh's Action News 4]
* [https://people.com/furries-raise-over-100k-for-homeless-senior-pets-at-pittsburgh-convention-8676313 ''Furries' in Pittsburgh 'Worked Their Tails Off' to Raise Over $100,000 for Homeless Senior Pets''] article on [[W:People (magazine)|People]]
* [https://www.pghcitypaper.com/news/furry-friends-pittsburgh-restaurants-welcome-anthrocon-furries-with-specials-signs-and-long-straws-9244633 ''Furry friends: Pittsburgh restaurants welcome Anthrocon furries with specials, signs and long straws''] article on the [[W:Pittsburgh City Paper|Pittsburgh City Paper]]

* {{con resources}}

{{wikipedia|Anthrocon}}
{{Conventions North America}}
[[Category:Conventions]]
[[Category:Anthrocon]]
[[Category:Pennsylvania]]
[[Category:1997 births]]
{{Featured article}}

[[cs:Anthrocon]]
[[de:Anthrocon]]
[[es:Anthrocon]]
[[fi:Anthrocon]]
[[fr:Anthrocon]]
[[ja:Anthrocon]]
[[it:Anthrocon]]
[[no:Anthrocon]]
[[pl:Anthrocon]]
[[ru:Anthrocon]]
[[sv:Anthrocon]]
[[zh:Anthrocon]]

Anthrocon

2025-07-11T01:24:24Z

2601:14D:8A00:7A60:0:0:0:7F25: /* Locations and relocations */ updated attendance info and better summarized the move to pittsburgh

{{Infobox convention
|name = Anthrocon
|othernames = AC, formerly as Albany AnthroCon
|logo = [[File:Anthrocon.gif|225px]]
|caption =
|subject = [[Furry]]
|location = {{flagdiv|usa|[[W:Pittsburgh|Pittsburgh]], [[W:Pennsylvania|Pennsylvania]], [[W:USA|USA]]}}
|url = https://www.anthrocon.org/
|status = Ongoing
|first =
July 3-6, 1997 (as '''Albany AnthroCon''')
July 1-4, 1999 (as '''AnthroCon''')
|final =
|organizer = [[Anthrocon, Inc.]]
|charity = Various
|resources = {{con resources}}
}}
{{Anthrocon}}
[[File:FursuiteratFernando.webp|thumb|right|250px|A [[fursuiter]] dining at [[Fernado's]].]]
[[File:Ac2005fursuitparade.jpg|thumb|right|250px|The fursuit parade at [[Anthrocon 2005]].]]
[[File:Anthrocon2005dance.jpg|thumb|right|250px|A photo of the fursuit dance at Anthrocon 2005]]
'''Anthrocon''' ('''AC'''), is an annual American [[furry convention]], and one of the [[List of conventions by attendance|largest]] [[furcon]]s in the world, with an attendance of 18,357 in [[Anthrocon 2025|2025]].

== Overview ==

The [[convention]] was founded in 1997 as '''Albany AnthroCon''', which itself an offshoot of the [[furry]] [[W:Halloween|Halloween]] [[parties]] held by [[Aloyen Youngblood]]; when attendance pushed triple digits, he decided to book a hotel and organized it as a convention in 1997 with the aid of local friends, [[Points]], [[Rigel]], and others. In its first year, the event attracted approximately 500 attendees.

In late 1998-1999, Points transferred the [[chairmanship]] of the [[convention]] to [[Dr. Samuel Conway]]. They formally organized the group as '''Anthrocon Inc.''', later renamed the convention "Anthrocon," and relocated it to Pennsylvania.

Since 1997, Anthrocon's charity auction has donated over $240,000 to local charities. The [[Science Fiction]] [[W: Security|volunteer security force]], the [[Dorsai Irregulars]], provided security for the convention from 2002 until 2019.

=== Incorporation and trademarks ===

'''Anthrocon, Inc.''' was incorporated as a [[W:Nonprofit organization|non-profit organization]] on June 25, 1998, registered as a [[W:501(c)|501(c)(7) social and recreation club]] in the state of Pennsylvania (entity [http://www.corporations.state.pa.us/corp/soskb/Corp.asp?1738650 2823650]). This classification differs from the [[W:501(c)(3)|501(c)(3)]] status of [[Midwest Furry Fandom]] and [[Anthropomorphic Arts and Education]]; most notably, donations are not tax-deductible to their donors, but in return, the company has more flexibility about its operations, and more leeway to restrict access to non-members, since it's not a club.

Applications to register the word "Anthrocon" and the [[:File:Anthrocon.gif|Anthrocon paw]] as a [[W:trademark|US trademarks]] were filed on [http://tarr.uspto.gov/servlet/tarr?regser=serial&entry=77001861 September 18] and [http://tarr.uspto.gov/servlet/tarr?regser=serial&entry=77042065 November 12, 2006]. According to these filings, the word "Anthrocon" was first used on February 1, 1997, while the paw logo was used from June 30, 1998.

== History ==
=== Locations and relocations ===

Anthrocon's first venue was the [[W:Hilton Hotels & Resorts|Hilton Hotel]] of [[W:Valley Forge, Pennsylvania|Valley Forge, Pennsylvania]] in 1999 and 2000. Due to a rapid increase in attendees, it was forced to relocate to the larger [[W:Adam's Mark|Adams Mark Hotel]] of [[W:Philadelphia, Pennsylvania|Philadelphia, Pennsylvania]] in 2001, where it became the largest furry convention ever held, with 1,457 attendees. Attendance continued to grow, and by 2004, it was 2,406.

Attendance in 2005 dropped slightly to 2,373, exacerbated by the closure of the Adams Mark Hotel, the higher parking fees the new and unfamiliar [[W:Wyndham Worldwide|Wyndham Franklin Plaza]] hotel in downtown Philadelphia, and (possibly) due to [[W:Hurricane Dennis|Hurricane Dennis]]' effect on the southern United States, which closed many airports and prevented people from traveling.

Attendance increased again in 2006 with the move to the [[W:David L. Lawrence Convention Center|David Lawrence Convention Center]] in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, reaching 2,489, but due to scheduling conflicts, the convention had to leave its regular July timeslot temporarily and was held on June 15-18. This move to Pittsburgh was envisioned by AC's [[Board of Directors]] as early as October 2004, prior to the sale of the Adam's Mark Hotel, due to AC's increasing attendance. During this time, AC solicited opinions about the move to Pittsburgh.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20041030112340/http://www.anthrocon.org/info.cgi/ac2007 ''A new home for Anthrocon in 2007?''] post on Antrocon's official website. Retrieved June 1, 2025.</ref>

For all years since, AC was held at the David Lawrence Convention Center, with yearly growth of ~10%, up until post-COVID iterations when yearly growth reached a peak of 40% from 2022 to 2023.

=== Covid-19 pandemic ===

In 2020, Anthrocon was not held in person due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]] outbreak. [[Online convention]]s were held in 2020 and 2021, using [[W:Virtual workplace|virtual meeting spaces]] and [[VRChat]]. The convention returned to being in person in 2022, with attendees required to provide [[W:Vaccine passports during the COVID-19 pandemic|proof of vaccination]] and wear [[W:Face masks during the COVID-19 pandemic|medical face masks]]. These requirements were rescinded in 2024.

=== New Fursuit Parade Restrictions ===
For the fursuit parade in 2025, Anthrocon implemented a set of restrictions in order to handle the continually growing levels of attendance and parade participation that resulted in unmanageably large crowds, long wait times for parade participants, and concerns for parade participant safety. Among other rules such as a simple cap on the number of parade participants allowed, Anthrocon implemented a new standard of dress.

This standard of dress included points such as requiring costumes to be anthropomorphic in nature (e.g. adding ears to costume armor would not meet the standard of dress), and explicitly prohibiting costumes that normally violate the convention's standards of contact (e.g. tactical gear and fetish wear). One particularly controversial rule, per se, was the requirement that partial fursuits must incorporate more elements that together define the character, in addition to a head, hands, and optional tail. The [https://www.anthrocon.org/parade-block-party/#parade-rules exact wording] states "no human skin should be showing," which many interpreted to mean a ban on poodling. '''Poodling''' refers to wearing fursuit parts in such a way that shows human skin; e.g., wearing a fursuit head, hand paws, and tail, while wearing a shirt and shorts, that together show human skin on the forearms and legs. This standard of dress created much controversy, as many criticized the convention for "banning" poodling. Despite the discouragement, some attendees still participated in the parade with skin showing in their partial suit. Compared to more explicit prohibitions on fetish-related or mobility-restricting clothing such as attached leashes, the standards for partial fursuiting was a discouragement solely for the parade, as there was no such enforcement during the rest of the convention.

== Anthrocon and Pittsburgh ==

Currently, Anthrocon operates with the support of the [[W:Pittsburgh|city of Pittsburgh]] and local businesses. AC's own ''[[Show Your Badge]]'' program works with the city's own ''[https://www.visitpittsburgh.com Visit Pittsburgh]'', which allows [[congoer]]s to visit many of Pittsburgh's landmarks at a reduced cost.

The convention collaborates with over a dozen hotels in the city's downtown area, offering more affordable accommodations to many pre-registered attendees. It also charter buses from these hotels to the convention center, which attendees can use free of charge.

Some restaurants in downtown Pittsburgh offer Anthrocon-themed specials, most prominently [https://www.pizzaparma.us/ Fernando's] (now '''Pizza Parma'''), a pizzeria that re-themes itself to '''''Furryland''''' during the convention weekend.<ref>[https://www.pghcitypaper.com/news/furry-friends-pittsburgh-restaurants-welcome-anthrocon-furries-with-specials-signs-and-long-straws-9244633 ''Furry friends: Pittsburgh restaurants welcome Anthrocon furries with specials, signs and long straws''] article on the [[W:Pittsburgh City Paper|Pittsburgh City Paper]]. Dated July 04, 2018. Retrieved May 29, 2025.</ref>

Anthrocon generates a substantial amount of business for downtown Pittsburgh, with attendees [https://www.wtae.com/article/anthrocon-2024-pittsburgh-business-hotels/61503860 estimated to spend over $70 million] in 2024.

== Mascot(s) ==

Anthrocon itself doesn't have a single official [[mascot]].

== Programming and amenities ==

* [[Opening ceremonies|Opening]] and [[closing ceremonies]]
* [[Dealers' Den]]
* [[Artists' Alley]]
* [[Art Show]]s (General and [[Adult|Mature]])
* [[Art Show auction]]
* [[Charity auction]]
* [[Masquerade]]
* [[Stand-up comedy]]
* [[UKSH|"Uncle Kage's Story Hour"]]
* [[Fursuit parade]]
* [[Fursuit block party]]
* [[Fursuit dance competition]] and [[Floor_Wars|Floor Wars]]
* Art-related, Costumery-related, and other artistic how-to [[panel]]s, workshops, and demonstrations
* [[Table-top]] card and [[role-playing]] [[game]]s
* [[Game room]] and tournaments
* [[W:Special interest group|Special-interest]], [[species]]-related, and [[lifestyle]] group panels
* [[Puppetry]] instructionals
* Various [[social dance]]s ([[W:Electronica|Electronica]]/[[W:Electronic dance music|EDM]] music dances, [[fursuit]]-friendly dances, era-themed dances, [[musical performance]]s by [[furry fandom]] [[DJ]]s)
* [[Internet room]]
* "[[The Zoo]]" (a spacious general social area. This was deprecated in 2022 instead of multiple, smaller breakout Zoo areas)
* [[Supersponsor luncheon]]

== Leadership and staff==

The convention's [[chairman]] is [[Dr. Samuel Conway]] (also known as ''Kagemushi''' or ''Uncle Kage''' by attendees), who oversees AC's operations with the help of [[staff]] and [[volunteer]]s who donate their time and energy throughout the weekend to assist with the multitude of small tasks that arise.

=== Board of Directors ===

* [[Tim "The Foxish" Mithee]] - [[Dealers Den|Dealers' Room]], [[photography]]
* [[Gen. Talon|Kenneth "Gen. Talon" Baker]] - A/V
* [[Dr. Valentina “Nuclear Space Cat” O’Donnell]] - [[Registration]]
* [[Kuddle Pup|John "K.P." Cole]] - [[Public outreach]]
* [[Christopher “Sparf” Williams]] - [[Events]]
* [[PeterCat|Peter "PeterCat" Kappesser]] - [[Art show]]
* [[Tigerwolf (Tigerden administrator)|George "Tigerwolf" Nemeyer]] - [[Internet room]]
* [[Ysera|Paige “Ysera” Ward]] - [[Publications]]
* [[Talyn_(Virginia)|Scott "Talyn" Williams]] - [[Con Ops|Operations]]
* [[Jeffrey “Humphrey” Costa]] - [[Public safety]]
* [[Douglas “Chittebengo” Payne]] - [[Finances]]
* [[Ronnie|Isaac "Ronnie" Tan]] - [[Digital services]]

=== General staff ===

{{main|:Category:Anthrocon staff}}

==Guests of Honor==

* 1997 - [[Artist]]s [[Daphne Lage]] and [[Watts Martin]]
* 1998 - Artists [[Jeffrey A. Carver]] and [[Jim Groat]]
* 1999 - [[Author]] [[S. Andrew Swann]] and artist [[Vicky Wyman]]
* 2000 - Artist [[Sara Miles|Caribou]] (formerly '''Sara Palmer''') and author [[Pauli Kidd]]
* 2001 - [[Comic book]] artist [[Dan DeCarlo]] (creator of ''[[W:Josie and the Pussycats (comics)|Josie and the Pussycats]]''), and [[cartoonist|syndicated cartoonist]] [[Bill Holbrook]]
* 2002 - Artist [[Heather Bruton]] and author [[Lisanne Norman]] (of the [[Sholan Alliance]] Series)
* 2003 - Artists [[Guy Gilchrist]] and [[Mark E. Rogers]]
* 2004 - Artists [[Michel Gagné]] and [[Stan Sakai]] (creator of ''[[Usagi Yojimbo]]'')
* 2005 - Artists [[Emily Amadhia Albee-King]] ("[[Kaze: Ghost Warrior|Kaze: Ghost Warrior]]") and [[W:Peter Laird|Peter Laird]], co-creator of ''[[Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles]]''
* 2006 - [[Fantasy author]] [[W:Diane Duane|Diane Duane]], [[writer]]/[[animator]]/[[cartoonist]]/artist [[Scott Shaw!]], and (as a "Special Guest") [[Filk]] [[musician]] [[W:Tom Smith (filker)|Tom Smith]]
* 2007 - Television/[[animation writer]] [[W:Mark Evanier|Mark Evanier]], comic artist [[Carolyn Kelly]] (of the [[syndicated comic strip]] ''[[Pogo]]''), and [[voice actor]] [[W:Rob Paulsen|Rob Paulsen]] (''[[Animaniacs]]'', ''[[Pinky and the Brain]]'', ''[[Gummi Bears]]'' and ''Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles'')
* 2008 - Animator and [[Disney]] Legend [[W:Floyd Norman|Floyd Norman]]
* 2009 - [[Character designer]] and [[storyboard artist]] [[W:Ben Balistreri|Ben Balistreri]] (''[[Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends]]'' and ''[[Seaweed the Pelican]]''), [[creator]]/[[producer]] [[W:Bob Boyle (animator)|Bob Boyle]] (''[[Wow! Wow! Wubbzy!]]'' and ''[[Yin Yang Yo!]]''), and cartoonist and artist [[Joe Harris]] (creator of [[Underdog]] and the [[Trix Rabbit]])
* 2010 - Author [[W:James Gurney|James Gurney]] (''[[W:Dinotopia|Dinotopia]]'' book series), and [[W:Sesame Street|Sesame Street]] [[puppeteer]]/[[director]] [[W:Jim_Martin_(puppeteer)|Jim Martin]]
* 2011 - Artist [[W:Andy Runton|Andy Runton]] (''[[Owly]]''), and author [[Peter_S._Beagle|Peter S. Beagle]] (''[[The Last Unicorn]]'')
* 2012 - Creative director/art director/freelance [[illustrator]] [[Dev Madan]], animator and comic artist [[Mike Kazaleh]], and Japanese [[fursuiter]] and [[W:Acrobatics|acrobat]] [[Sardyuon]]
* 2013 - [[Fantasy artist]] and [[novelist]] [[Larry Dixon]], author [[W:Mercedes Lackey|Mercedes Lackey]], animation producer/writer/story editor and storyboard artist [[W:Tom Minton|Tom Minton]], and Sardyuon
* 2014 - Voice actors [[W:Jim Cummings|Jim Cummings]] (''[[Darkwing Duck]]'', ''[[Winnie the Pooh]]'', ''[[The Lion King]]'', ''[[W:Baldur's Gate|Baldur's Gate]]'', ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog]]'') and [[W:Lee Tockar|Lee Tockar]] (''[[My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic]]'', ''[[Yakkity Yak]]'')
* 2015 - Voice actor [[W:Kimlinh Tran|Kimlinh Tran]] and [[Mascot|sports mascot]], [[W:The San Diego Chicken|The San Diego Chicken]]
* 2016 - Animation genius [[W:Joaquin Baldwin|Joaquin Baldwin]], voice artist [[W:Trevor Devall|Trevor Devall]], and illustrator/[[graphic designer]] [[Tracy Butler]]
* 2017 - Voice actor [[W:Charlie Adler|Charlie Adler]]
* 2018 - [[Animation artist]] [[Len Simon]], one of the main [[animation lead]]s on ''[[W:|Anastasia]]'' and animation character director on ''[[Bartok the Magnificent]]'' and ''[[Titan AE]]'', and artist [[Ursula Vernon]], creator of the ''[[lol wut]]'' (''[[The Biting Pear of Salamanca]]''), and the [[webcomic]] ''[[Digger]]''
* 2019 - Voice actor [[Benjamin Diskin]], artist [[Steve Gallacci]], and [[W:Esports|eSports player]] [[SonicFox5000]]
* 2020 - [[VRChat]] content creator [[Firr]] and furry artist [[SueDeer]] (Cancelled <nowiki>[</nowiki>[[COVID-19 pandemic]]<nowiki>]</nowiki>. Replaced with [[Virtual Anthrocon]])
* 2021 - (Cancelled [COVID-19 pandemic]. Replaced with Virtual Anthrocon)
* 2022 - French artist and animator [[Kévin Gemin]] ('''Kékéflipnote''') and American artist SueDeer
* 2023 - [[W:Pittsburgh|The City of Pittsburgh]]
* 2024 - (???)
* 2025 - No GoH(s)
* 2026 - TBA
* 2027 - TBA

==Themes==

* 1997 - '''''An East Coast Furry Convention'''''
* 1998 - '''''Here There Be Dragons'''''
* 1999 - '''''Join the Furry Revolution'''''
* 2000 - '''''Furries of Myth and Legend'''''
* 2001 - '''''Furries in Flight'''''
* 2002 - '''''Inventions'''''
* 2003 - '''''Creatures of the Night'''''
* 2004 - '''''Summer Games'''''
* 2005 - '''''Heroes'''''
* 2006 - '''''Making History'''''
* 2007 - '''''Looking to the Future'''''
* 2008 - '''''It's a Jungle Out There'''''
* 2009 - '''''OMG Aliens!'''''
* 2010 - '''''Modern Stone-Age Furries'''''
* 2011 - '''''The Anthropomorphic Institute of Magic'''''
* 2012 - '''''A Midsummer Night's Dream'''''
* 2013 - '''''The Fast and The Furrious'''''
* 2014 - '''''Secret Societies'''''
* 2015 - '''''Viking Invasion!'''''
* 2016 - '''''Roaring "Twenty"''''' (20th anniversary)
* 2017 - '''''Take Me Out To The Ballgame'''''
* 2018 - '''''Movie Monsters'''''
* 2019 - '''''Surf Pacific'''''
* 2020 - '''''Aesop's Fables''''' (Cancelled [COVID-19 pandemic]. Replaced with Virtual Anthrocon)
* 2021 - (Cancelled [COVID-19 pandemic]. Replaced with Virtual Anthrocon)
* 2022 - '''''Aesop's Fables'''''
* 2023 - '''''Anthropolis: We Built This City'''''
* 2024 - '''''AnthroCoaster!'''''
* 2025 - '''''Deep Sea Adventures'''''
* 2026 - '''''Critters Cryptids and Curses'''''
* 2027 - TBA

==Charities==

Every year, Anthrocon selects a local animal-related charity as the beneficiary of its charity auction.<ref>[http://www.anthrocon.org/history Charity history] on Anthrocon's website. Retrieved June 19, 2012.</ref>

* 1997 - ''[[Therapy Dogs]]'' ($2,200)
* 1998 - ''[[Whiskers (charity)|Whiskers]]'' ($3,092)
* 1999 - ''[[Great Valley Nature Center]]'' ($3.6K)
* 2000 - ''[[National Greyhound Adoption Program]]'' ($6.5K)
* 2001 - ''[[Reins of Life]]'' ($7,273)
* 2002 - ''[[Canine Partners for Life]]'' ($13,280)
* 2003 - ''[[Support Our Shelters]]'' ($8,348)
* 2004 - ''[[Forgotten Felines & Fidos]]'' ($7.2K)
* 2005 - ''[http://www.gpsar.org/ Greater Philadelphia Search and Rescue]'' ($6,470)
* 2006 - ''[http://www.wildanimal.org/ Western Pennsylvania National Wild Animal Orphanage]'' ($8,407)
* 2007 - ''[http://www.animal-friends.org/ Animal Friends]'' ($7,608)
* 2008 - ''[http://pages.prodigy.net/zazubird/ppr.htm Pittsburgh Parrot Rescue]'' ($13,154)
* 2009 - ''[http://www.animalrescue.org/ Animal Rescue League Wildlife Rehabilitation Center]'' ($8,992)
* 2010 - ''[http://www.fayettefriendsofanimals.net/ Fayette Friends of Animals]'' ($12,849)
* 2011 - ''[http://www.toonseum.org/ Toonseum]'' ($11,522)
* 2012 - ''[http://www.hellobully.com/ Hello Bully]'' ($20,656)
* 2013 - ''[http://equineangelsrescue.com/ Equine Angels Rescue]'' ($31,255)
* 2014 - ''[http://aviary.org/ The National Aviary]'' ($32,372)
* 2015 - ''[https://www.wpahumane.org/ Western Pennsylvania Humane Society]'' ($35,910)
* 2016 - ''[http://www.pittsburghzoo.org/ Pittsburgh Zoo]'' ($30,880)
* 2017 - ''[http://www.hopehavenfarm.org/ Hope Haven Farm Sanctuary]'' ($37,598)
* 2018 - ''[https://www.southhillspetrescue.org/ South Hills Pet Rescue]'' ($42,051)
* 2019 - ''[https://www.pearlparrots.com/ PEARL Parrot Rescue]'' ($46,440)
* 2020 - ''[https://www.wildlifeworksinc.org/ Wildlife Works, Inc.]'' (Undisclosed)
* 2021 - '''''Wildlife Works, Inc.''''' ($20,000+)
* 2022 - '''''Wildlife Works, Inc.''''' ($41,553)
* 2023 - ''[https://www.rabbitwranglers.org/ Rabbit Wranglers]'' ($52,000)
* 2024 - ''[https://graypaws.org/ Gray Paws Sanctuary]'' ($100,000+)
* 2025 - ''[https://www.nose2tailcatrescue.org/ Nose 2 Tail Cat Rescue]'' ($87,267)
* 2026 - TBA (TBD)

==Attendance==

Except for [[Anthrocon 2005]], AC's attendance has increased yearly. Membership in the fursuit parade has also increased, rising from 5.9% of members in 2005 to a peak of 28.7% in 2016. 
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! scope="col" | Con year
! scope="col" | PreReg
! scope="col" | % +/-
! scope="col" | Attendance
! scope="col" | % +/-
! scope="col" | Artists
! scope="col" | % +/-
! scope="col" | Fursuiters
! scope="col" | % +/-
! scope="col" | Fursuit parade
! scope="col" | % +/-
! scope="col" | Notes
|-
! scope="row" style="font-weight: normal; text-align: center;" | Albany AnthroCon 1997
| ?
| ?
| 500'''²'''
| N/A
| ?
| ?
| Unknown'''¹'''
| N/A
| Unknown'''¹'''
| N/A
| Hilton Hotel of Valley Forge (original venue)
|-
! scope="row" style="font-weight: normal; text-align: center;" | Albany AnthroCon 1998
| ?
| ?
| 600'''²'''
| 20%
| ?
| ?
| Unknown'''¹'''
| N/A
| Unknown'''¹'''
| N/A
|
|-
! scope="row" style="font-weight: normal; text-align: center;" | Anthrocon 1999
| ?
| ?
| 845
| 40.8%
| ?
| ?
| Unknown'''¹'''
| N/A
| Unknown'''¹'''
| N/A
| Change of venue (Adams Mark Hotel)
|-
! scope="row" style="font-weight: normal; text-align: center;" | 2000
| ?
| ?
| 1,128
| 33.4%
| ?
| ?
| Unknown'''¹'''
| N/A
| Unknown'''¹'''
| N/A
| Change of venue (Adams Mark Hotel)
|-
! scope="row" style="font-weight: normal; text-align: center;" | 2001
| ?
| ?
| 1,457
| 29.2%
| ?
| ?
| Unknown'''¹'''
| N/A
| Unknown'''¹'''
| N/A
|
|-
! scope="row" style="font-weight: normal; text-align: center;" | 2002
| ?
| ?
| 1,648
| 13.1%
| ?
| ?
| Unknown'''¹'''
| N/A
| Unknown'''¹'''
| N/A
|
|-
! scope="row" style="font-weight: normal; text-align: center;" | 2003
| ?
| ?
| 1,949
| 18.2%
| ?
| ?
| Unknown'''¹'''
| N/A
| Unknown'''¹'''
| N/A
|
|-
! scope="row" style="font-weight: normal; text-align: center;" | 2004
| ?
| ?
| 2,404
| 23.3%
| ?
| ?
| Unknown'''¹'''
| N/A
| Unknown'''¹'''
| N/A
|
|-
! scope="row" style="font-weight: normal; text-align: center;" | 2005
| ?
| ?
| 2,370
| -1.4%
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| 140
| N/A
| Change of venue (Wyndham Franklin Plaza)
|-
! scope="row" style="font-weight: normal; text-align: center;" | 2006
| ?
| ?
| 2,489
| 5%
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| 191
| 36.4%
| Change of venue (David Lawrence Convention Center)
|-
! scope="row" style="font-weight: normal; text-align: center;" | 2007
| ?
| ?
| 2,849
| 14.5%
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| 353
| 84.8%
|
|-
! scope="row" style="font-weight: normal; text-align: center;" | 2008
| ?
| ?
| 3,390
| 19%
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| 453
| 28.3%
|
|-
! scope="row" style="font-weight: normal; text-align: center;" | 2009
| ?
| ?
| 3,777
| 11.4%
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| 640
| 41.3%
|
|-
! scope="row" style="font-weight: normal; text-align: center;" | 2010
| ?
| ?
| 4,238
| 12.2%
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| 713
| 11.4%
|
|-
! scope="row" style="font-weight: normal; text-align: center;" | 2011
| ?
| ?
| 4,402
| 3.8%
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| 854
| 19.8%
|
|-
! scope="row" style="font-weight: normal; text-align: center;" | 2012
| ?
| ?
| 5,179
| 17.7%
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| 1,044
| 22.2%
|
|-
! scope="row" style="font-weight: normal; text-align: center;" | 2013
| ?
| ?
| 5,577
| 7.68%
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| 1,300
| 24.5%
|
|-
! scope="row" style="font-weight: normal; text-align: center;" | 2014
| ?
| ?
| 5,861
| 5.09%
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| 1,326
| 2%
|
|-
! scope="row" style="font-weight: normal; text-align: center;" | 2015
| ?
| ?
| 6,386
| 9.01%
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| 1,460
| 10.11%
|
|-
! scope="row" style="font-weight: normal; text-align: center;" | 2016
| ?
| ?
| 7,310
| 14.44%
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| 2,100
| 43.34%
|
|-
! scope="row" style="font-weight: normal; text-align: center;" | 2017
| ?
| ?
| 7,554
| 3.33%
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| 1,890
| -10.00%
|
|-
! scope="row" style="font-weight: normal; text-align: center;" | 2018
| ?
| ?
| 8,407
| 11.29%
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| 1,980
| 4.76%
|
|-
! scope="row" style="font-weight: normal; text-align: center;" | 2019
| ?
| ?
| 9,358
| 11.31%
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| 2,132
| 7.67%
|
|-
! scope="row" style="font-weight: normal; text-align: center;" | 2020
| ?
| ?
| 6,136'''³'''
| N/A
| N/A
| N/A
| 2 (staff)
| N/A
| 2 (staff)
| N/A
| Cancelled (COVID-19 pandemic). Replaced with Virtual Anthrocon
|-
! scope="row" style="font-weight: normal; text-align: center;" | Anthrocon Online 2021
| N/A
| N/A
| N/A
| N/A
| N/A
| N/A
| N/A
| N/A
| N/A
| N/A
| Cancelled (COVID-19 pandemic). Replaced with Virtual Anthrocon
|-
! scope="row" style="font-weight: normal; text-align: center;" | 2022
| ?
| ?
| 9,702
| 3.68%
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| 2,562
| 20.17%
|
|-
! scope="row" style="font-weight: normal; text-align: center;" | 2023
| ?
| ?
| 13,644
| 40.63%
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| 3,127
| 22.05%
|
|-
! scope="row" style="font-weight: normal; text-align: center;" | 2024
| ?
| ?
| 17,639
| 29.84%
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| 3,371
| 7.51%
|
|-
! scope="row" style="font-weight: normal; text-align: center;" | 2025
| ?
| ?
| 18,357
| 4.07%
| TBD
| TBD
| TBD
| ?
| ?
| TBD
| [[Poodling]] was banned during the fursuit parade
|-
! scope="row" style="font-weight: normal; text-align: center;" | 2026
| TBD
| TBD
| TBD
| TBD
| TBD
| TBD
| TBD
| TBD
| TBD
| TBD
| This event with be the 20th year of AC in Pittsburgh
|-
! scope="row" style="font-weight: normal; text-align: center;" | 2027
| TBD
| TBD
| TBD
| TBD
| TBD
| TBD
| TBD
| TBD
| TBD
| TBD
|
|}

'''1.''' - Anthrocon didn't record the number of fursuiters in the fursuit parade until 2005 
'''2.''' - Estimated 
'''3.''' - Unique VRChat attendees 
'''?.''' - Data not recorded/not available

== Infographics ==
[[File:AnthroconAttendance.PNG|thumb|left|450px|attendees statistics (1997-2016)]] 

== Trivia ==

* The choice of [[Toonseum]] as a charity was made after consulting the [[furry community]] via [http://anthrocon.livejournal.com/827727.html, a LiveJournal post by] [[Rigel]]. It has been the only (fandom-approved) exception to the "[[animal]]-related only" charity rule.

== See also ==

* [[W:Anthrocon|Anthrocon]] on [[Wikipedia]]
* [[:Category:Anthrocon photographs|Anthrocon photographs on WikiFur]]

== References ==
{{reflist|2}}

== External links ==
{{FlayrahTag|Anthrocon}}
* [http://www.facebook.com/Anthrocon/ Anthrocon] on [[Facebook]] (official)
* [http://www.facebook.com/groups/Anthrocon/?source_id=103654229736847 Anthrocon] on Facebook (public)
* [http://twitter.com/anthrocon Anthrocon] on [[Twitter|X]]
* [https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:ulwyvthzao6goq6pqth2j5z3 Anthrocon] on [[BlueSky]]
* [https://t.me/anthrocon Anthrocon] on [[Telegram]]
* [https://mastodon.furrycon.social/@anthrocon Anthrocon] on [[Mastodon]]
* [https://www.instagram.com/anthrocon/ Anthrocon] on [[Instagram]]
* [http://www.youtube.com/user/anthrocon Anthrocon] on [[Youtube]]
* [https://furrycons.com/event/23777/anthrocon-2025 Anthrocon (2025)] on [https://furrycons.com/ FurryCons.com]

=== Media ===

* [https://www.cbsnews.com/pittsburgh/news/what-is-anthrocon-furry-convention-pittsburgh/ ''What is Anthrocon? The furry convention is expected to bring thousands to Pittsburgh''] article on [[W:CBSNews|CBS News]]
* [https://www.wtae.com/article/pittsburgh-economy-out-millions-because-of-canceled-events/35907481 ''Pittsburgh economy out millions because of canceled events''] article on [https://www.wtae.com/ Pittsburgh's Action News 4]
* [https://people.com/furries-raise-over-100k-for-homeless-senior-pets-at-pittsburgh-convention-8676313 ''Furries' in Pittsburgh 'Worked Their Tails Off' to Raise Over $100,000 for Homeless Senior Pets''] article on [[W:People (magazine)|People]]
* [https://www.pghcitypaper.com/news/furry-friends-pittsburgh-restaurants-welcome-anthrocon-furries-with-specials-signs-and-long-straws-9244633 ''Furry friends: Pittsburgh restaurants welcome Anthrocon furries with specials, signs and long straws''] article on the [[W:Pittsburgh City Paper|Pittsburgh City Paper]]

* {{con resources}}

{{wikipedia|Anthrocon}}
{{Conventions North America}}
[[Category:Conventions]]
[[Category:Anthrocon]]
[[Category:Pennsylvania]]
[[Category:1997 births]]
{{Featured article}}

[[cs:Anthrocon]]
[[de:Anthrocon]]
[[es:Anthrocon]]
[[fi:Anthrocon]]
[[fr:Anthrocon]]
[[ja:Anthrocon]]
[[it:Anthrocon]]
[[no:Anthrocon]]
[[pl:Anthrocon]]
[[ru:Anthrocon]]
[[sv:Anthrocon]]
[[zh:Anthrocon]]

Anthrocon

2025-07-11T01:11:52Z

2601:14D:8A00:7A60:0:0:0:7F25: /* Poodling */ added additional context and maintained neutral tonality.

{{Infobox convention
|name = Anthrocon
|othernames = AC, formerly as Albany AnthroCon
|logo = [[File:Anthrocon.gif|225px]]
|caption =
|subject = [[Furry]]
|location = {{flagdiv|usa|[[W:Pittsburgh|Pittsburgh]], [[W:Pennsylvania|Pennsylvania]], [[W:USA|USA]]}}
|url = https://www.anthrocon.org/
|status = Ongoing
|first =
July 3-6, 1997 (as '''Albany AnthroCon''')
July 1-4, 1999 (as '''AnthroCon''')
|final =
|organizer = [[Anthrocon, Inc.]]
|charity = Various
|resources = {{con resources}}
}}
{{Anthrocon}}
[[File:FursuiteratFernando.webp|thumb|right|250px|A [[fursuiter]] dining at [[Fernado's]].]]
[[File:Ac2005fursuitparade.jpg|thumb|right|250px|The fursuit parade at [[Anthrocon 2005]].]]
[[File:Anthrocon2005dance.jpg|thumb|right|250px|A photo of the fursuit dance at Anthrocon 2005]]
'''Anthrocon''' ('''AC'''), is an annual American [[furry convention]], and one of the [[List of conventions by attendance|largest]] [[furcon]]s in the world, with an attendance of 18,357 in [[Anthrocon 2025|2025]].

== Overview ==

The [[convention]] was founded in 1997 as '''Albany AnthroCon''', which itself an offshoot of the [[furry]] [[W:Halloween|Halloween]] [[parties]] held by [[Aloyen Youngblood]]; when attendance pushed triple digits, he decided to book a hotel and organized it as a convention in 1997 with the aid of local friends, [[Points]], [[Rigel]], and others. In its first year, the event attracted approximately 500 attendees.

In late 1998-1999, Points transferred the [[chairmanship]] of the [[convention]] to [[Dr. Samuel Conway]]. They formally organized the group as '''Anthrocon Inc.''', later renamed the convention "Anthrocon," and relocated it to Pennsylvania.

Since 1997, Anthrocon's charity auction has donated over $240,000 to local charities. The [[Science Fiction]] [[W: Security|volunteer security force]], the [[Dorsai Irregulars]], provided security for the convention from 2002 until 2019.

=== Incorporation and trademarks ===

'''Anthrocon, Inc.''' was incorporated as a [[W:Nonprofit organization|non-profit organization]] on June 25, 1998, registered as a [[W:501(c)|501(c)(7) social and recreation club]] in the state of Pennsylvania (entity [http://www.corporations.state.pa.us/corp/soskb/Corp.asp?1738650 2823650]). This classification differs from the [[W:501(c)(3)|501(c)(3)]] status of [[Midwest Furry Fandom]] and [[Anthropomorphic Arts and Education]]; most notably, donations are not tax-deductible to their donors, but in return, the company has more flexibility about its operations, and more leeway to restrict access to non-members, since it's not a club.

Applications to register the word "Anthrocon" and the [[:File:Anthrocon.gif|Anthrocon paw]] as a [[W:trademark|US trademarks]] were filed on [http://tarr.uspto.gov/servlet/tarr?regser=serial&entry=77001861 September 18] and [http://tarr.uspto.gov/servlet/tarr?regser=serial&entry=77042065 November 12, 2006]. According to these filings, the word "Anthrocon" was first used on February 1, 1997, while the paw logo was used from June 30, 1998.

== History ==
=== Locations and relocations ===

Anthrocon's first venue was the [[W:Hilton Hotels & Resorts|Hilton Hotel]] of [[W:Valley Forge, Pennsylvania|Valley Forge, Pennsylvania]] in 1999 and 2000. Due to a rapid increase in attendees, it was forced to relocate to the larger [[W:Adam's Mark|Adams Mark Hotel]] of [[W:Philadelphia, Pennsylvania|Philadelphia, Pennsylvania]] in 2001, where it became the largest furry convention ever held, with 1,457 attendees. Attendance continued to grow, and by 2004, it was 2,406.

Attendance in 2005 dropped slightly to 2,373, exacerbated by the closure of the Adams Mark Hotel, the higher parking fees the new and unfamiliar [[W:Wyndham Worldwide|Wyndham Franklin Plaza]] hotel in downtown Philadelphia, and (possibly) due to [[W:Hurricane Dennis|Hurricane Dennis]]' effect on the southern United States, which closed many airports and prevented people from traveling.

Attendance increased again in 2006 with the move to the [[W:David L. Lawrence Convention Center|David Lawrence Convention Center]] in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, reaching 2,489, but due to scheduling conflicts, the convention had to leave its regular July timeslot temporarily and was held on June 15-18.

The 2006 move to Pittsburgh was envisioned by AC's [[Board of Directors]] before the sale of the Adam's Mark Hotel took place due to AC's increasing attendance. AC began soliciting people's opinions about moving to Pittsburgh in October 2004.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20041030112340/http://www.anthrocon.org/info.cgi/ac2007 ''A new home for Anthrocon in 2007?''] post on Antrocon's official website. Retrieved June 1, 2025.</ref>

In 2007, AC was held again from July 5 to 8 at the David Lawrence Convention Center.

In 2008, total attendance reached 3,390. In 2010, it increased to 4,238 attendees and four official convention hotels. The convention's growth has historically averaged 14% yearly.

=== Covid-19 pandemic ===

In 2020, Anthrocon was not held in person due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]] outbreak. [[Online convention]]s were held in 2020 and 2021, using [[W:Virtual workplace|virtual meeting spaces]] and [[VRChat]]. The convention returned to being in person in 2022, with attendees required to provide [[W:Vaccine passports during the COVID-19 pandemic|proof of vaccination]] and wear [[W:Face masks during the COVID-19 pandemic|medical face masks]]. These requirements were rescinded in 2024.

=== New Fursuit Parade Restrictions ===
For the fursuit parade in 2025, Anthrocon implemented a set of restrictions in order to handle the continually growing levels of attendance and parade participation that resulted in unmanageably large crowds, long wait times for parade participants, and concerns for parade participant safety. Among other rules such as a simple cap on the number of parade participants allowed, Anthrocon implemented a new standard of dress.

This standard of dress included points such as requiring costumes to be anthropomorphic in nature (e.g. adding ears to costume armor would not meet the standard of dress), and explicitly prohibiting costumes that normally violate the convention's standards of contact (e.g. tactical gear and fetish wear). One particularly controversial rule, per se, was the requirement that partial fursuits must incorporate more elements that together define the character, in addition to a head, hands, and optional tail. The [https://www.anthrocon.org/parade-block-party/#parade-rules exact wording] states "no human skin should be showing," which many interpreted to mean a ban on poodling. '''Poodling''' refers to wearing fursuit parts in such a way that shows human skin; e.g., wearing a fursuit head, hand paws, and tail, while wearing a shirt and shorts, that together show human skin on the forearms and legs. This standard of dress created much controversy, as many criticized the convention for "banning" poodling. Despite the discouragement, some attendees still participated in the parade with skin showing in their partial suit. Compared to more explicit prohibitions on fetish-related or mobility-restricting clothing such as attached leashes, the standards for partial fursuiting was a discouragement solely for the parade, as there was no such enforcement during the rest of the convention.

== Anthrocon and Pittsburgh ==

Currently, Anthrocon operates with the support of the [[W:Pittsburgh|city of Pittsburgh]] and local businesses. AC's own ''[[Show Your Badge]]'' program works with the city's own ''[https://www.visitpittsburgh.com Visit Pittsburgh]'', which allows [[congoer]]s to visit many of Pittsburgh's landmarks at a reduced cost.

The convention collaborates with over a dozen hotels in the city's downtown area, offering more affordable accommodations to many pre-registered attendees. It also charter buses from these hotels to the convention center, which attendees can use free of charge.

Some restaurants in downtown Pittsburgh offer Anthrocon-themed specials, most prominently [https://www.pizzaparma.us/ Fernando's] (now '''Pizza Parma'''), a pizzeria that re-themes itself to '''''Furryland''''' during the convention weekend.<ref>[https://www.pghcitypaper.com/news/furry-friends-pittsburgh-restaurants-welcome-anthrocon-furries-with-specials-signs-and-long-straws-9244633 ''Furry friends: Pittsburgh restaurants welcome Anthrocon furries with specials, signs and long straws''] article on the [[W:Pittsburgh City Paper|Pittsburgh City Paper]]. Dated July 04, 2018. Retrieved May 29, 2025.</ref>

Anthrocon generates a substantial amount of business for downtown Pittsburgh, with attendees [https://www.wtae.com/article/anthrocon-2024-pittsburgh-business-hotels/61503860 estimated to spend over $70 million] in 2024.

== Mascot(s) ==

Anthrocon itself doesn't have a single official [[mascot]].

== Programming and amenities ==

* [[Opening ceremonies|Opening]] and [[closing ceremonies]]
* [[Dealers' Den]]
* [[Artists' Alley]]
* [[Art Show]]s (General and [[Adult|Mature]])
* [[Art Show auction]]
* [[Charity auction]]
* [[Masquerade]]
* [[Stand-up comedy]]
* [[UKSH|"Uncle Kage's Story Hour"]]
* [[Fursuit parade]]
* [[Fursuit block party]]
* [[Fursuit dance competition]] and [[Floor_Wars|Floor Wars]]
* Art-related, Costumery-related, and other artistic how-to [[panel]]s, workshops, and demonstrations
* [[Table-top]] card and [[role-playing]] [[game]]s
* [[Game room]] and tournaments
* [[W:Special interest group|Special-interest]], [[species]]-related, and [[lifestyle]] group panels
* [[Puppetry]] instructionals
* Various [[social dance]]s ([[W:Electronica|Electronica]]/[[W:Electronic dance music|EDM]] music dances, [[fursuit]]-friendly dances, era-themed dances, [[musical performance]]s by [[furry fandom]] [[DJ]]s)
* [[Internet room]]
* "[[The Zoo]]" (a spacious general social area. This was deprecated in 2022 instead of multiple, smaller breakout Zoo areas)
* [[Supersponsor luncheon]]

== Leadership and staff==

The convention's [[chairman]] is [[Dr. Samuel Conway]] (also known as ''Kagemushi''' or ''Uncle Kage''' by attendees), who oversees AC's operations with the help of [[staff]] and [[volunteer]]s who donate their time and energy throughout the weekend to assist with the multitude of small tasks that arise.

=== Board of Directors ===

* [[Tim "The Foxish" Mithee]] - [[Dealers Den|Dealers' Room]], [[photography]]
* [[Gen. Talon|Kenneth "Gen. Talon" Baker]] - A/V
* [[Dr. Valentina “Nuclear Space Cat” O’Donnell]] - [[Registration]]
* [[Kuddle Pup|John "K.P." Cole]] - [[Public outreach]]
* [[Christopher “Sparf” Williams]] - [[Events]]
* [[PeterCat|Peter "PeterCat" Kappesser]] - [[Art show]]
* [[Tigerwolf (Tigerden administrator)|George "Tigerwolf" Nemeyer]] - [[Internet room]]
* [[Ysera|Paige “Ysera” Ward]] - [[Publications]]
* [[Talyn_(Virginia)|Scott "Talyn" Williams]] - [[Con Ops|Operations]]
* [[Jeffrey “Humphrey” Costa]] - [[Public safety]]
* [[Douglas “Chittebengo” Payne]] - [[Finances]]
* [[Ronnie|Isaac "Ronnie" Tan]] - [[Digital services]]

=== General staff ===

{{main|:Category:Anthrocon staff}}

==Guests of Honor==

* 1997 - [[Artist]]s [[Daphne Lage]] and [[Watts Martin]]
* 1998 - Artists [[Jeffrey A. Carver]] and [[Jim Groat]]
* 1999 - [[Author]] [[S. Andrew Swann]] and artist [[Vicky Wyman]]
* 2000 - Artist [[Sara Miles|Caribou]] (formerly '''Sara Palmer''') and author [[Pauli Kidd]]
* 2001 - [[Comic book]] artist [[Dan DeCarlo]] (creator of ''[[W:Josie and the Pussycats (comics)|Josie and the Pussycats]]''), and [[cartoonist|syndicated cartoonist]] [[Bill Holbrook]]
* 2002 - Artist [[Heather Bruton]] and author [[Lisanne Norman]] (of the [[Sholan Alliance]] Series)
* 2003 - Artists [[Guy Gilchrist]] and [[Mark E. Rogers]]
* 2004 - Artists [[Michel Gagné]] and [[Stan Sakai]] (creator of ''[[Usagi Yojimbo]]'')
* 2005 - Artists [[Emily Amadhia Albee-King]] ("[[Kaze: Ghost Warrior|Kaze: Ghost Warrior]]") and [[W:Peter Laird|Peter Laird]], co-creator of ''[[Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles]]''
* 2006 - [[Fantasy author]] [[W:Diane Duane|Diane Duane]], [[writer]]/[[animator]]/[[cartoonist]]/artist [[Scott Shaw!]], and (as a "Special Guest") [[Filk]] [[musician]] [[W:Tom Smith (filker)|Tom Smith]]
* 2007 - Television/[[animation writer]] [[W:Mark Evanier|Mark Evanier]], comic artist [[Carolyn Kelly]] (of the [[syndicated comic strip]] ''[[Pogo]]''), and [[voice actor]] [[W:Rob Paulsen|Rob Paulsen]] (''[[Animaniacs]]'', ''[[Pinky and the Brain]]'', ''[[Gummi Bears]]'' and ''Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles'')
* 2008 - Animator and [[Disney]] Legend [[W:Floyd Norman|Floyd Norman]]
* 2009 - [[Character designer]] and [[storyboard artist]] [[W:Ben Balistreri|Ben Balistreri]] (''[[Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends]]'' and ''[[Seaweed the Pelican]]''), [[creator]]/[[producer]] [[W:Bob Boyle (animator)|Bob Boyle]] (''[[Wow! Wow! Wubbzy!]]'' and ''[[Yin Yang Yo!]]''), and cartoonist and artist [[Joe Harris]] (creator of [[Underdog]] and the [[Trix Rabbit]])
* 2010 - Author [[W:James Gurney|James Gurney]] (''[[W:Dinotopia|Dinotopia]]'' book series), and [[W:Sesame Street|Sesame Street]] [[puppeteer]]/[[director]] [[W:Jim_Martin_(puppeteer)|Jim Martin]]
* 2011 - Artist [[W:Andy Runton|Andy Runton]] (''[[Owly]]''), and author [[Peter_S._Beagle|Peter S. Beagle]] (''[[The Last Unicorn]]'')
* 2012 - Creative director/art director/freelance [[illustrator]] [[Dev Madan]], animator and comic artist [[Mike Kazaleh]], and Japanese [[fursuiter]] and [[W:Acrobatics|acrobat]] [[Sardyuon]]
* 2013 - [[Fantasy artist]] and [[novelist]] [[Larry Dixon]], author [[W:Mercedes Lackey|Mercedes Lackey]], animation producer/writer/story editor and storyboard artist [[W:Tom Minton|Tom Minton]], and Sardyuon
* 2014 - Voice actors [[W:Jim Cummings|Jim Cummings]] (''[[Darkwing Duck]]'', ''[[Winnie the Pooh]]'', ''[[The Lion King]]'', ''[[W:Baldur's Gate|Baldur's Gate]]'', ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog]]'') and [[W:Lee Tockar|Lee Tockar]] (''[[My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic]]'', ''[[Yakkity Yak]]'')
* 2015 - Voice actor [[W:Kimlinh Tran|Kimlinh Tran]] and [[Mascot|sports mascot]], [[W:The San Diego Chicken|The San Diego Chicken]]
* 2016 - Animation genius [[W:Joaquin Baldwin|Joaquin Baldwin]], voice artist [[W:Trevor Devall|Trevor Devall]], and illustrator/[[graphic designer]] [[Tracy Butler]]
* 2017 - Voice actor [[W:Charlie Adler|Charlie Adler]]
* 2018 - [[Animation artist]] [[Len Simon]], one of the main [[animation lead]]s on ''[[W:|Anastasia]]'' and animation character director on ''[[Bartok the Magnificent]]'' and ''[[Titan AE]]'', and artist [[Ursula Vernon]], creator of the ''[[lol wut]]'' (''[[The Biting Pear of Salamanca]]''), and the [[webcomic]] ''[[Digger]]''
* 2019 - Voice actor [[Benjamin Diskin]], artist [[Steve Gallacci]], and [[W:Esports|eSports player]] [[SonicFox5000]]
* 2020 - [[VRChat]] content creator [[Firr]] and furry artist [[SueDeer]] (Cancelled <nowiki>[</nowiki>[[COVID-19 pandemic]]<nowiki>]</nowiki>. Replaced with [[Virtual Anthrocon]])
* 2021 - (Cancelled [COVID-19 pandemic]. Replaced with Virtual Anthrocon)
* 2022 - French artist and animator [[Kévin Gemin]] ('''Kékéflipnote''') and American artist SueDeer
* 2023 - [[W:Pittsburgh|The City of Pittsburgh]]
* 2024 - (???)
* 2025 - No GoH(s)
* 2026 - TBA
* 2027 - TBA

==Themes==

* 1997 - '''''An East Coast Furry Convention'''''
* 1998 - '''''Here There Be Dragons'''''
* 1999 - '''''Join the Furry Revolution'''''
* 2000 - '''''Furries of Myth and Legend'''''
* 2001 - '''''Furries in Flight'''''
* 2002 - '''''Inventions'''''
* 2003 - '''''Creatures of the Night'''''
* 2004 - '''''Summer Games'''''
* 2005 - '''''Heroes'''''
* 2006 - '''''Making History'''''
* 2007 - '''''Looking to the Future'''''
* 2008 - '''''It's a Jungle Out There'''''
* 2009 - '''''OMG Aliens!'''''
* 2010 - '''''Modern Stone-Age Furries'''''
* 2011 - '''''The Anthropomorphic Institute of Magic'''''
* 2012 - '''''A Midsummer Night's Dream'''''
* 2013 - '''''The Fast and The Furrious'''''
* 2014 - '''''Secret Societies'''''
* 2015 - '''''Viking Invasion!'''''
* 2016 - '''''Roaring "Twenty"''''' (20th anniversary)
* 2017 - '''''Take Me Out To The Ballgame'''''
* 2018 - '''''Movie Monsters'''''
* 2019 - '''''Surf Pacific'''''
* 2020 - '''''Aesop's Fables''''' (Cancelled [COVID-19 pandemic]. Replaced with Virtual Anthrocon)
* 2021 - (Cancelled [COVID-19 pandemic]. Replaced with Virtual Anthrocon)
* 2022 - '''''Aesop's Fables'''''
* 2023 - '''''Anthropolis: We Built This City'''''
* 2024 - '''''AnthroCoaster!'''''
* 2025 - '''''Deep Sea Adventures'''''
* 2026 - '''''Critters Cryptids and Curses'''''
* 2027 - TBA

==Charities==

Every year, Anthrocon selects a local animal-related charity as the beneficiary of its charity auction.<ref>[http://www.anthrocon.org/history Charity history] on Anthrocon's website. Retrieved June 19, 2012.</ref>

* 1997 - ''[[Therapy Dogs]]'' ($2,200)
* 1998 - ''[[Whiskers (charity)|Whiskers]]'' ($3,092)
* 1999 - ''[[Great Valley Nature Center]]'' ($3.6K)
* 2000 - ''[[National Greyhound Adoption Program]]'' ($6.5K)
* 2001 - ''[[Reins of Life]]'' ($7,273)
* 2002 - ''[[Canine Partners for Life]]'' ($13,280)
* 2003 - ''[[Support Our Shelters]]'' ($8,348)
* 2004 - ''[[Forgotten Felines & Fidos]]'' ($7.2K)
* 2005 - ''[http://www.gpsar.org/ Greater Philadelphia Search and Rescue]'' ($6,470)
* 2006 - ''[http://www.wildanimal.org/ Western Pennsylvania National Wild Animal Orphanage]'' ($8,407)
* 2007 - ''[http://www.animal-friends.org/ Animal Friends]'' ($7,608)
* 2008 - ''[http://pages.prodigy.net/zazubird/ppr.htm Pittsburgh Parrot Rescue]'' ($13,154)
* 2009 - ''[http://www.animalrescue.org/ Animal Rescue League Wildlife Rehabilitation Center]'' ($8,992)
* 2010 - ''[http://www.fayettefriendsofanimals.net/ Fayette Friends of Animals]'' ($12,849)
* 2011 - ''[http://www.toonseum.org/ Toonseum]'' ($11,522)
* 2012 - ''[http://www.hellobully.com/ Hello Bully]'' ($20,656)
* 2013 - ''[http://equineangelsrescue.com/ Equine Angels Rescue]'' ($31,255)
* 2014 - ''[http://aviary.org/ The National Aviary]'' ($32,372)
* 2015 - ''[https://www.wpahumane.org/ Western Pennsylvania Humane Society]'' ($35,910)
* 2016 - ''[http://www.pittsburghzoo.org/ Pittsburgh Zoo]'' ($30,880)
* 2017 - ''[http://www.hopehavenfarm.org/ Hope Haven Farm Sanctuary]'' ($37,598)
* 2018 - ''[https://www.southhillspetrescue.org/ South Hills Pet Rescue]'' ($42,051)
* 2019 - ''[https://www.pearlparrots.com/ PEARL Parrot Rescue]'' ($46,440)
* 2020 - ''[https://www.wildlifeworksinc.org/ Wildlife Works, Inc.]'' (Undisclosed)
* 2021 - '''''Wildlife Works, Inc.''''' ($20,000+)
* 2022 - '''''Wildlife Works, Inc.''''' ($41,553)
* 2023 - ''[https://www.rabbitwranglers.org/ Rabbit Wranglers]'' ($52,000)
* 2024 - ''[https://graypaws.org/ Gray Paws Sanctuary]'' ($100,000+)
* 2025 - ''[https://www.nose2tailcatrescue.org/ Nose 2 Tail Cat Rescue]'' ($87,267)
* 2026 - TBA (TBD)

==Attendance==

Except for [[Anthrocon 2005]], AC's attendance has increased yearly. Membership in the fursuit parade has also increased, rising from 5.9% of members in 2005 to a peak of 28.7% in 2016. 
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! scope="col" | Con year
! scope="col" | PreReg
! scope="col" | % +/-
! scope="col" | Attendance
! scope="col" | % +/-
! scope="col" | Artists
! scope="col" | % +/-
! scope="col" | Fursuiters
! scope="col" | % +/-
! scope="col" | Fursuit parade
! scope="col" | % +/-
! scope="col" | Notes
|-
! scope="row" style="font-weight: normal; text-align: center;" | Albany AnthroCon 1997
| ?
| ?
| 500'''²'''
| N/A
| ?
| ?
| Unknown'''¹'''
| N/A
| Unknown'''¹'''
| N/A
| Hilton Hotel of Valley Forge (original venue)
|-
! scope="row" style="font-weight: normal; text-align: center;" | Albany AnthroCon 1998
| ?
| ?
| 600'''²'''
| 20%
| ?
| ?
| Unknown'''¹'''
| N/A
| Unknown'''¹'''
| N/A
|
|-
! scope="row" style="font-weight: normal; text-align: center;" | Anthrocon 1999
| ?
| ?
| 845
| 40.8%
| ?
| ?
| Unknown'''¹'''
| N/A
| Unknown'''¹'''
| N/A
| Change of venue (Adams Mark Hotel)
|-
! scope="row" style="font-weight: normal; text-align: center;" | 2000
| ?
| ?
| 1,128
| 33.4%
| ?
| ?
| Unknown'''¹'''
| N/A
| Unknown'''¹'''
| N/A
| Change of venue (Adams Mark Hotel)
|-
! scope="row" style="font-weight: normal; text-align: center;" | 2001
| ?
| ?
| 1,457
| 29.2%
| ?
| ?
| Unknown'''¹'''
| N/A
| Unknown'''¹'''
| N/A
|
|-
! scope="row" style="font-weight: normal; text-align: center;" | 2002
| ?
| ?
| 1,648
| 13.1%
| ?
| ?
| Unknown'''¹'''
| N/A
| Unknown'''¹'''
| N/A
|
|-
! scope="row" style="font-weight: normal; text-align: center;" | 2003
| ?
| ?
| 1,949
| 18.2%
| ?
| ?
| Unknown'''¹'''
| N/A
| Unknown'''¹'''
| N/A
|
|-
! scope="row" style="font-weight: normal; text-align: center;" | 2004
| ?
| ?
| 2,404
| 23.3%
| ?
| ?
| Unknown'''¹'''
| N/A
| Unknown'''¹'''
| N/A
|
|-
! scope="row" style="font-weight: normal; text-align: center;" | 2005
| ?
| ?
| 2,370
| -1.4%
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| 140
| N/A
| Change of venue (Wyndham Franklin Plaza)
|-
! scope="row" style="font-weight: normal; text-align: center;" | 2006
| ?
| ?
| 2,489
| 5%
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| 191
| 36.4%
| Change of venue (David Lawrence Convention Center)
|-
! scope="row" style="font-weight: normal; text-align: center;" | 2007
| ?
| ?
| 2,849
| 14.5%
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| 353
| 84.8%
|
|-
! scope="row" style="font-weight: normal; text-align: center;" | 2008
| ?
| ?
| 3,390
| 19%
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| 453
| 28.3%
|
|-
! scope="row" style="font-weight: normal; text-align: center;" | 2009
| ?
| ?
| 3,777
| 11.4%
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| 640
| 41.3%
|
|-
! scope="row" style="font-weight: normal; text-align: center;" | 2010
| ?
| ?
| 4,238
| 12.2%
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| 713
| 11.4%
|
|-
! scope="row" style="font-weight: normal; text-align: center;" | 2011
| ?
| ?
| 4,402
| 3.8%
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| 854
| 19.8%
|
|-
! scope="row" style="font-weight: normal; text-align: center;" | 2012
| ?
| ?
| 5,179
| 17.7%
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| 1,044
| 22.2%
|
|-
! scope="row" style="font-weight: normal; text-align: center;" | 2013
| ?
| ?
| 5,577
| 7.68%
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| 1,300
| 24.5%
|
|-
! scope="row" style="font-weight: normal; text-align: center;" | 2014
| ?
| ?
| 5,861
| 5.09%
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| 1,326
| 2%
|
|-
! scope="row" style="font-weight: normal; text-align: center;" | 2015
| ?
| ?
| 6,386
| 9.01%
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| 1,460
| 10.11%
|
|-
! scope="row" style="font-weight: normal; text-align: center;" | 2016
| ?
| ?
| 7,310
| 14.44%
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| 2,100
| 43.34%
|
|-
! scope="row" style="font-weight: normal; text-align: center;" | 2017
| ?
| ?
| 7,554
| 3.33%
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| 1,890
| -10.00%
|
|-
! scope="row" style="font-weight: normal; text-align: center;" | 2018
| ?
| ?
| 8,407
| 11.29%
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| 1,980
| 4.76%
|
|-
! scope="row" style="font-weight: normal; text-align: center;" | 2019
| ?
| ?
| 9,358
| 11.31%
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| 2,132
| 7.67%
|
|-
! scope="row" style="font-weight: normal; text-align: center;" | 2020
| ?
| ?
| 6,136'''³'''
| N/A
| N/A
| N/A
| 2 (staff)
| N/A
| 2 (staff)
| N/A
| Cancelled (COVID-19 pandemic). Replaced with Virtual Anthrocon
|-
! scope="row" style="font-weight: normal; text-align: center;" | Anthrocon Online 2021
| N/A
| N/A
| N/A
| N/A
| N/A
| N/A
| N/A
| N/A
| N/A
| N/A
| Cancelled (COVID-19 pandemic). Replaced with Virtual Anthrocon
|-
! scope="row" style="font-weight: normal; text-align: center;" | 2022
| ?
| ?
| 9,702
| 3.68%
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| 2,562
| 20.17%
|
|-
! scope="row" style="font-weight: normal; text-align: center;" | 2023
| ?
| ?
| 13,644
| 40.63%
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| 3,127
| 22.05%
|
|-
! scope="row" style="font-weight: normal; text-align: center;" | 2024
| ?
| ?
| 17,639
| 29.84%
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| 3,371
| 7.51%
|
|-
! scope="row" style="font-weight: normal; text-align: center;" | 2025
| ?
| ?
| 18,357
| 4.07%
| TBD
| TBD
| TBD
| ?
| ?
| TBD
| [[Poodling]] was banned during the fursuit parade
|-
! scope="row" style="font-weight: normal; text-align: center;" | 2026
| TBD
| TBD
| TBD
| TBD
| TBD
| TBD
| TBD
| TBD
| TBD
| TBD
| This event with be the 20th year of AC in Pittsburgh
|-
! scope="row" style="font-weight: normal; text-align: center;" | 2027
| TBD
| TBD
| TBD
| TBD
| TBD
| TBD
| TBD
| TBD
| TBD
| TBD
|
|}

'''1.''' - Anthrocon didn't record the number of fursuiters in the fursuit parade until 2005 
'''2.''' - Estimated 
'''3.''' - Unique VRChat attendees 
'''?.''' - Data not recorded/not available

== Infographics ==
[[File:AnthroconAttendance.PNG|thumb|left|450px|attendees statistics (1997-2016)]] 

== Trivia ==

* The choice of [[Toonseum]] as a charity was made after consulting the [[furry community]] via [http://anthrocon.livejournal.com/827727.html, a LiveJournal post by] [[Rigel]]. It has been the only (fandom-approved) exception to the "[[animal]]-related only" charity rule.

== See also ==

* [[W:Anthrocon|Anthrocon]] on [[Wikipedia]]
* [[:Category:Anthrocon photographs|Anthrocon photographs on WikiFur]]

== References ==
{{reflist|2}}

== External links ==
{{FlayrahTag|Anthrocon}}
* [http://www.facebook.com/Anthrocon/ Anthrocon] on [[Facebook]] (official)
* [http://www.facebook.com/groups/Anthrocon/?source_id=103654229736847 Anthrocon] on Facebook (public)
* [http://twitter.com/anthrocon Anthrocon] on [[Twitter|X]]
* [https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:ulwyvthzao6goq6pqth2j5z3 Anthrocon] on [[BlueSky]]
* [https://t.me/anthrocon Anthrocon] on [[Telegram]]
* [https://mastodon.furrycon.social/@anthrocon Anthrocon] on [[Mastodon]]
* [https://www.instagram.com/anthrocon/ Anthrocon] on [[Instagram]]
* [http://www.youtube.com/user/anthrocon Anthrocon] on [[Youtube]]
* [https://furrycons.com/event/23777/anthrocon-2025 Anthrocon (2025)] on [https://furrycons.com/ FurryCons.com]

=== Media ===

* [https://www.cbsnews.com/pittsburgh/news/what-is-anthrocon-furry-convention-pittsburgh/ ''What is Anthrocon? The furry convention is expected to bring thousands to Pittsburgh''] article on [[W:CBSNews|CBS News]]
* [https://www.wtae.com/article/pittsburgh-economy-out-millions-because-of-canceled-events/35907481 ''Pittsburgh economy out millions because of canceled events''] article on [https://www.wtae.com/ Pittsburgh's Action News 4]
* [https://people.com/furries-raise-over-100k-for-homeless-senior-pets-at-pittsburgh-convention-8676313 ''Furries' in Pittsburgh 'Worked Their Tails Off' to Raise Over $100,000 for Homeless Senior Pets''] article on [[W:People (magazine)|People]]
* [https://www.pghcitypaper.com/news/furry-friends-pittsburgh-restaurants-welcome-anthrocon-furries-with-specials-signs-and-long-straws-9244633 ''Furry friends: Pittsburgh restaurants welcome Anthrocon furries with specials, signs and long straws''] article on the [[W:Pittsburgh City Paper|Pittsburgh City Paper]]

* {{con resources}}

{{wikipedia|Anthrocon}}
{{Conventions North America}}
[[Category:Conventions]]
[[Category:Anthrocon]]
[[Category:Pennsylvania]]
[[Category:1997 births]]
{{Featured article}}

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