A world in which animals roam the streets on two legs and share a good laugh over cocktails with their buds after work -- this is the life of a furry.
Berlin's Estrel Hotel became a playground for nearly 2000 self-identifying furries from August 20 to 24 for the 20th annual Eurofurence, the largest furry convention outside of the United States and the longest running convention of its type in the world.
Furry fandom, a term used since 1983 refers to a subculture whose followers express an interest in anthropomorphic, or half-human, half-animal, creatures in literature, cartoons, pop culture, or other artistic contexts.
This year's events included special "guests of honor" including Ursula Vernon, author and illustrator of the graphic novel Digger; Kyell Gold, author of gay furry erotica including The Prisoner's Release; and Sardyuon, a furry juggler and acrobat.
As a yearly tradition, Eurofurence also orchestrated a charity auction, asking participants to donate artwork and rare items. This year's proceeds went to Stiftung Fledermaus, a German foundation that aims to protect bats from extinction through research and public engagement.