Understanding Furry Culture
Who made furries, and how did this unique fandom begin? In truth, nobody woke up one day and single-handedly "invented" furries; the idea of blending human and animal traits has been part of human storytelling for ages. From ancient mythologies about gods with animal heads to modern cartoon characters, people have long been fascinated by anthropomorphic beings. However, the furry fandom as a distinct community, with its own identity, art, and events, emerged much more recently, blossoming in the late 20th century. Let's dive in!
When Were Furries Invented and How Did They Become Popular
Anthropomorphic animal characters (animals with human-like qualities) have enchanted us for centuries, but the organized furry fandom is a fairly modern creation. You could jokingly argue that the "first furries" were ancient storytellers: the Greeks, for example, told myths of gods turning into swans or bulls to seduce mortals. But the furry community as we know it (a subculture of fans who identify with or create anthropomorphic animal characters) took shape in the late 1970s and early 1980s.
One oft-cited spark occurred around 1980 at a science fiction convention, when a drawing of a character from Steve Gallacci's comic Albedo Anthropomorphics led to a lively discussion among fans about anthropomorphic animals in fiction. Fred Patten, a sci-fi and comics fan (and later a furry historian), was present and helped nurture this emerging interest in "funny animals" for adults. Patten and others began using the term "furry" to describe the genre of art and stories featuring human-like animal characters. What started as a few enthusiasts chatting at general sci-fi cons soon evolved into dedicated meetups. By the mid-1980s, fans who loved anthropomorphic animal characters, from cartoon critters to clever comic book creatures, were forming their own identity as furry fans.
So when were furries truly "invented"? There's no single birthday, but by 1985-1986 the subculture was clearly coalescing. Fans organized room parties at conventions specifically for anthropomorphic animal art and discussion. These niche gatherings were the humble beginnings of a movement. In 1989, the first dedicated furry convention was held in California: ConFurence 0, organized by early fans Mark Merlino and Rod O'Riley. The online world became a catalyst for popularity... what was once a tiny cluster of fans exploded into a global network. In late 1990 the Usenet newsgroup alt.fan.furry was created as a virtual gathering spot, allowing far-flung furries to share art, stories, and build community.
Furries truly became popular (or at least far more visible) as the internet connected like-minded creators and fans. What had been a sub-sub-culture of sci-fi fandom was now its own thriving fandom. As one commentator quipped, the furry fandom "provided a label for a pre-existing feeling that had always lived, dormant and unnamed, inside a select number of people". In other words, there have probably always been folks who daydreamed about being cartoon animals or walking, talking beasts; the internet and cons simply gave them a way to find each other and form a community.
Mainstream awareness of furries has followed the community's growth, though not always smoothly. (Who can forget the infamous 2003 CSI episode featuring furries, which fixated on the idea of "yiffing" (furry lingo for sexual activity) and implanted a lot of misconceptions?) Such depictions painted furries as "sex-crazed, socially maladjusted freaks who enjoy rubbing up against each other in giant bunny costumes," which is essentially false. For example, Midwest FurFest in Chicago grew from about 1,000 attendees in 2005 to over 10,000 by the late 2010s. Major furry conventions now attract not just veteran fans but also curious families and teens; at Midwest FurFest, you might even see parents chaperoning their excited kids in partial fursuits. In short, furries became popular gradually, through decades of creative work, community-building, and yes, weathering some sensational headlines, to the point that what was once obscure is now a well-known subculture around the world.
Origins of Furries and Early Community Development
While the idea of anthropomorphic animals is ancient, the origin of the furry community lies in late-20th-century fan culture. Let's zoom in on those early days and how the community developed its own identity. In the late 1970s and early '80s, certain underground comics and art zines began exploring more mature or complex anthropomorphic characters, essentially planting the seeds of furry fandom. For example, the 1978 comic "Omaha the Cat Dancer" featured an anthropomorphic cat in a critically acclaimed, adults-only drama, blowing minds by showing "funny animals" could be more than Saturday morning cartoon fodder. Science fiction and comic book conventions in this era became the unlikely petri dish for the first furries. Fans who loved animated films like Disney's Robin Hood (that sly fox Robin sparked many a furry awakening!) or Japanese anime films featuring talking beasts started to find each other. They traded drawings and discussed favourite animal characters. In 1983, a group of these enthusiasts launched a photocopied fanzine called Rowrbrazzle, an amateur press association for sharing furry art and stories.
"Furry fandom" as a term began to solidify around 1985. Fans who had been saying "I like anthropomorphic comics" or "funny animals" started embracing the shorthand of calling themselves furries. This era also saw the first mascot-style costumes at conventions, prototype fursuits, if you will. Borrowing from elaborately costumed sci-fi fans and plush mascot culture, early furries began crafting animal costumes to physically embody their characters. What we might now call a "fursona", a furry persona, was coming to life in art, fiction, and occasional costume form. Each step of early community development involved turning nebulous personal interests into shared culture. Fans set up informal meetups at cons under names like the "Furry Party." They established codes of conduct (consensual roleplay and respect were emphasized from the start) and began to welcome newcomers who had always loved cartoon animals but never knew there were others like them. As kink educator and author Janet W. Hardy notes in a different context, taking on a role or persona can give people "easy access" to parts of themselves they might otherwise hide, and for many early furries, creating an animal persona unlocked creativity and confidence they didn't have in mundane life. The furry scene offered a safe environment to experiment with imagination, to play with identities (rebellious, heroic, cute, feral, anything goes) that wouldn't be acceptable or possible in the regular world.
Throughout the late '80s, the community infrastructure grew from ad-hoc meetups into something more organized. In 1989, ConFurence 0 in Costa Mesa, California marked the first full-fledged furry convention. Only about 65 people attended that inaugural con, by comparison, today's big cons host hundreds of times that number, but it proved that furries had enough critical mass to hold their own space.
An important development in community structure was the creation of online bulletin boards and mailing lists specifically for furries, such as the early Listserv "Furry Mailing List" in 1990 and newsgroups like alt.fan.furry. These let scattered fans debate ideas like “What exactly counts as anthropomorphic?” or share personal creative works beyond the few who could meet physically. The early community was small enough that most people knew of each other; handles and “fursona names” became identities in these circles. Interestingly, even in these formative years, community values were being hashed out. Many of the founders were very mindful that their hobby was unusual and potentially stigmatized, so they emphasized principles of openness, consent, and respect. This echoes advice from BDSM experts like Jay Wiseman and Midori in their own communities, they often stress that when exploring unconventional desires or identities, communication and mutual respect are key. The furry pioneers took a similar tack: everyone was welcome, so long as they respected others’ creative expression. A sort of utopian idealism pervaded the early furry fandom, it was to be a judgment-free playground for adults who refused to give up childlike imagination.
Through the early '90s, the furry community developed its own lingo and lore. Terms like fursona, fursuit, Murr (playful purring sound) and yiff (slang for erotic furry content) entered the lexicon. Fan publications like Anthropomorphic Comics APA and conventions helped standardize the idea of what it meant to be a furry. The diversity of creative content also expanded, where once "furry art" meant mostly comic strips of funny animals, it grew to include plush sculpture, cosplay, fantasy illustration, and even music and dance inspired by animal characters. Early community leaders, folks like Fred Patten (who chronicled furry history), Mark Merlino (con organizer), Rod O'Riley (publisher/editor), and artists like Eric W. Schwartz or Ken Sample, all contributed to a foundation on which the modern fandom still stands.
Understanding Fur Culture and Community Values
Simply put, a furry is someone who enjoys anthropomorphic animal characters. As one furry succinctly explained in a Reddit AMA, "A furry is somebody who likes the idea of anthropomorphic animals, animals who walk around, dress like, and do human things… The rest (fursuits, furry art, etc.) is really optional; you don't need anything physical to be a furry." In other words, furry culture isn't defined by wearing a fursuit or having a tail, it's defined by one's imagination and identification with animal characters.
One of the most striking aspects of furry community values is inclusivity. Many members are LGBTQ+ and find the fandom an especially accepting environment for exploring gender and sexuality without judgment. It's common to meet furries who say they found confidence and self-discovery through their fursonas. For example, a shy young man who struggles socially might create a bold wolf character who howls karaoke on stage at a con, and in doing so, unlock a piece of himself. A gender-questioning person might experiment by taking on a female dragon persona online or a nonbinary fox fursona, long before they are "out" in real life. As one fan explained, "You adopt a character who personifies the traits you want… after some time it becomes more like you, or more like a friend." In the furry world, identity is fluid and chosen, you can be a courageous lion one day, a cunning rabbit the next. This freedom to “try on” different selves makes the community very open-minded.
Another core value is creativity and self-expression. The fandom is built on art, storytelling, costuming, and performance. Furries often say they were drawn in by the art, vibrant drawings of original animal characters or fantastical portraits of wolves with dragon wings. One furry on Reddit described being hooked by the creativity, saying anthropomorphizing animals and giving them unique designs is "an activity that is very fun and it draws you in". Whether someone is a skilled artist or just commissioning art of their fursona, creativity is the lifeblood of the fandom. This creative focus comes with a refreshing lack of hierarchy around "official" content. Unlike, say, Star Wars fans who all admire a common canon, furries largely create their own characters and stories. As a result, the community philosophy is "Everyone's art is valid" and "we're fans of each other", not just of a corporate franchise. A newcomer who sketches their fursona on notebook paper might receive just as much encouragement as a veteran illustrator with thousands of followers. This supportive atmosphere helps people blossom artistically and socially.
Furry culture also strongly values consent, safety, and respect, especially given that some aspects (like wearing full-body suits or engaging in roleplay) can make one vulnerable. The community has adopted a code of conduct at events that emphasizes asking before hugging someone (the "ASK first to hug" stickers are common at cons), respecting personal boundaries, and being considerate with potentially sensitive content. In many ways, furry spaces operate similarly to kink communities in promoting clear communication. As Tristan Taormino, a well-known sex educator, has noted, "Consent, explicit, informed, and secure 'Yes!', is the bedrock" of any alternative community. It's not unusual to see otherwise reserved adults gleefully playing tail wagging games or scritching (friendly petting) each other at meetups, behaviors that are possible only because a foundation of trust has been laid.
Above all, the furry community values fun and friendship. There's a strong ethic of not taking yourself too seriously. Many furries talk about the joy of "found family", that sense of belonging with others who share your quirky passions. One popular saying in the fandom is "the only thing we take seriously is not taking things too seriously." Furries often greet friends with enthusiastic hugs, use silly in-jokes, and generally approach gatherings with a playful, almost childlike excitement. As a fox named Tiller succinctly put it at a convention check-in, "Everyone here is welcome, except Nazis." In other words, all are accepted regardless of race, gender, orientation, or disability; the only real sin is intolerance or hate. This lighthearted inclusivity was on full display when that fox and dozens of other furries made a "fur pile", literally a heap of fursuiters and friends playfully lounging together on the convention floor, a tangle of foxes, otters, and wildcats all cuddled in interspecies harmony. It's a sight that perfectly encapsulates furry community values: imaginative play, physical warmth, breaking conventional boundaries (after all, in nature foxes and rabbits don't usually hug!), and creating a chosen family built on shared joy.
In summary, fur culture is about being true to the weird, wonderful things you love and letting others do the same. It encourages fearlessness in self-expression, recalling Tristan Taormino's encouragement to kink communities: "Remember the fearlessness… there is nothing to lose when you throw yourself wholeheartedly into your play." Furries throw themselves into play with wholehearted zeal, whether that means dancing in a fursuit until sweat-soaked, writing an epic saga about wolf adventurers, or simply joking around in a chat room full of fellow fuzzy enthusiasts. And they support each other in doing so. The community’s unofficial motto might as well be: Be kind, be creative, and have fun, everything else is secondary.
Furry Community Structure and Social Dynamics
Despite having no centralized "organization" or leadership, the furry community has developed a robust structure and social dynamics that keep it thriving. It's often said that organizing furries is like "herding cats", quite literally, since many of them are cats (or dogs, or dragons…) in spirit!
Conventions and Meets: The most visible pillars of furry social structure are the conventions (cons). These are usually volunteer-run and non-profit events, operated by local groups of furries who form organizing committees. There is no single governing body for all furry cons, each is independent, though organizers often share tips and communicate informally. A con typically has a hotel or convention center as its base, and runs for 3-4 days of programming. There are art panels, writing workshops, fursuit-making demonstrations, gaming rooms, dance competitions, and big social dances or raves at night. One cherished tradition is the fursuit parade, where everyone in costume walks together for spectators, a fluffy spectacle of paws, stripes, and colors. Conventions also foster smaller subgroups: you might attend a meet-up for “furry aviators” or a photoshoot for “all the fursuiters who are reptiles,” etc. In essence, cons provide the physical space for the social dynamics to flourish. Hierarchies at cons are minimal, maybe the con chair and staff have authority in a logistical sense, but socially, a first-timer in a $20 homemade tail can walk up and chat with a veteran in a $5,000 fursuit and be received as an equal, bound by shared enthusiasm.
Outside of conventions, local furmeets and regional gatherings help structure the community. These meets are usually coordinated via social media or platforms like Telegram (a messaging app extremely popular among furs). They provide more casual, frequent social contact to build friendships in between the big cons. Some areas have formal furry clubs or associations; for example, Furlandia in Portland or LondonFurs in the UK host regular events. However, a lot of community structure remains delightfully informal, often it just takes one or two motivated people to say “let’s hang out,” and a gathering happens.
Online Hubs: Digital spaces are equally important in the furry social structure. Many furries moved to Discord servers, Mastodon, or Telegram groups to stay connected. It’s common for friend groups or sub-communities (like “furry writers” or regional groups) to have private Discord servers where they chat daily. These decentralized online communities reinforce social bonds continuously. A furry from Australia might regularly voice-chat while gaming with furry friends in Germany and Canada; by the time they meet at a convention, they’re already close pals. The online structure, while diffuse, has an interesting dynamic: reputation in the community often grows via one’s online contributions (art, humor, volunteering) rather than any formal status. Someone who is very active and creates beloved content might become a “popufur” (popular furry) with a large following, but they’re still approachable. Indeed, fandom culture tends to champion the idea that fame is fleeting and everyone’s a fan of someone. Seeing a top artist fangirl over another’s fursuit performance is totally normal.
Roles and Relationships: Within the furry social scene, people naturally gravitate into different roles based on interests. Some are prolific artists or writers, constantly sharing creations. Others are dedicated fursuiters who perform in costume and bring magic to events (fursuiters often get treated like walking mascots, other attendees will flock to them for hugs or photos, which many suiters enjoy as part of the performance). Some furs are organizers and volunteers, the behind-the-scenes folks running conventions, staffing registration desks, managing DJ booths at dances, etc. There are also merchants and crafters, one can build an entire small business making furry ears, tails, or foam fursuit heads for commission. These roles intermix fluidly; a single person might be an artist and also a fursuit dancer and also volunteer at con security. But recognizing these contributions is part of community dynamics. A well-known fursuit maker, for example, may be accorded a lot of respect (and likely swamped with commission requests!). Yet there is an ethos of peer respect: furries often publicly thank volunteers and creators, understanding that the community thrives only because of passionate people giving their time and talent.
Community Norms and Support: The furry community has organically developed norms to keep things running smoothly. For example, an unwritten rule is "No glomping fursuiters", meaning don't tackle-hug or surprise someone in a heavy fursuit, as it can be dangerous. Another norm: respect the character.
Lastly, the informal leadership in the furry world tends to be those who contribute positively and frequently. There’s a saying that “the fandom runs on volunteer spirit.” Those who step up to organize events, moderate forums, or just produce beloved creative works often become well-known and respected, though they may hold no official title. It’s a meritocracy of goodwill and talent. Social media amplifies some voices (popular content creators can indirectly lead trends in the community), but furries are a discerning bunch, authenticity matters. Be a friendly, genuine participant, and you’ll find your niche and people who appreciate you. Try to act like a “big shot” throwing weight around, and you might find furries simply ignore you (or lampoon you with memes, they have a memetic arsenal for deflating egos).
Debunking Myths About Furry Culture and Origins
With its unusual practices and playful secrecy, furry culture has inspired many misconceptions in mainstream culture. Let’s address some of the biggest myths about furries, and set the record straight with factual information and first-hand insights.
Myth 1: "Furries believe they're animals (or want to be animals)." Reality: Furries do not actually think they are animals. They fully understand they are human beings. The key is that they identify with animals or enjoy pretending to be them in creative ways. While a few furries might also be therians, the typical furry sees the fursona as a persona or hobby, not a literal identity.
Myth 2: "It's all about sex. Furries are a fetish group." Reality: This is perhaps the most stubborn misconception, fueled by media sensationalism in the early 2000s. The truth is more nuanced: furry fandom is NOT inherently a sexual fetish, though it does have an adult aspect for some. Surveys and community polls consistently show that a majority of furries view the fandom primarily as a creative/artistic hobby or a social outlet, not a sexual kink. Many furries have no sexual interest in the concept at all. For example, in one informal poll by a furry YouTuber, about 60% of respondents said the fandom was not a sexual thing for them. The remaining 40% did have an interest in some NSFW (not-safe-for-work) content or activities, most commonly enjoying racy furry artwork in private, but even among those, very few actually engage in sexual roleplay or intercourse in fursuits. As one furry on Reddit put it, the misconception they absolutely hate is "that we all like to do each other [sexually] in suits. It's not true for the majority… yes, there are people who do that, I personally have no interest, but every group on the internet has an NSFW side to it… it's annoying when the whole fandom is portrayed that way by a loud minority." This perspective is echoed broadly in the community. Certainly, there is erotic furry art (just as there is erotic art in any fandom), and some furries do integrate fetish play or kink (like pet-play or plush fetish) into their lives.
Myth 3: "Furries are into bestiality or want to have sex with real animals." Reality: Absolutely not. This is a harmful stereotype that furries actively repudiate. A fox fursona is essentially a fictional person who just looks fox-like; that's entirely different from a real fox. The fandom's artwork and roleplay almost exclusively involve sapient, talking fantasy creatures or cartoon-style animals, not actual non-consenting animals. In fact, within the community, being a "zoophile" (someone sexually attracted to animals) is strongly stigmatized and grounds for ostracism. One furry remarked in a discussion, "I despise zoophiles, as does the majority of the furry community. We don't want them among us." This stance is common, furries often police their spaces to ensure no one is advocating anything illegal or harmful to animals.
Myth 4: “The furry fandom was created as a fetish by one person or a company.”
Reality: Sometimes people unfamiliar with furries assume it must have started as a weird fetish club or some commercial thing. In reality, as we explored in the history sections, the furry community grew organically out of fan culture, not as any intentional "invention" by a single entity. It wasn't a fetish club spun off from BDSM or a marketing gimmick by a costume company. No, it was a loose collective of artists and dreamers who gradually found a common interest. Fan historian Fred Patten identified that moment in 1980 when fans at a con discovered shared love for anthro characters, but he didn't "create" furries, he merely nurtured what was blooming. Some myth-spinners even claim “furry” was invented by the CSI episode or by MTV as a joke, completely false.
Myth 5: "Furries are mostly all young, socially awkward men living in basements." Reality: The demographics of the furry fandom are more varied than the stereotype suggests. And socially, being a furry can enhance one's skills rather than indicate a lack of them, many furries develop strong communication and artistic abilities through their participation in the fandom.
Myth 6: "Furries are a danger to society / trying to recruit kids / part of some weird sexual agenda." Reality: This myth has gained traction lately due to inflammatory political rhetoric lumping furries into "culture war" issues. The idea that furries "groom" kids is baseless and stems from confusion between furries and the unrelated issue of some predator cases where an abuser wore an animal mascot costume.
Furries are, fundamentally, hobbyists and enthusiasts who built a creative community. They value consent, fantasy, and friendship. When shame and misunderstanding are met with compassion and knowledge, the truth comes out: furries are not so different from fans of any other genre, just a bit more colorful (and floofy!). As the saying goes, "Don't judge a book by its cover… especially when the cover is a neon dragon or a talking husky." By debunking these myths, we hope more people will give furries a fair shake, or at least a friendly wave (or wag) of the tail.
Getting Involved in the Furry Community Today
So, after learning all this, you find yourself intrigued, maybe even excited, about furries. How can someone get involved in this fuzzy, fantastic world today?
1. Explore Online, Find Your Tribe: Most furries' journeys start online. If you're an artist or art-lover, signing up on FurAffinity (the largest furry art site) lets you browse thousands of artworks and even post or commission your own. Twitter/X has a huge furry presence, following a few popular furry accounts can lead you down a rabbit hole (sometimes literally a rabbit's account!) of social connections. Many furries list their species or fursona in their bios, making it easy to find like-minded folks. Discord servers are another excellent way to meet furries in a more chatroom-like environment; there are Discords for everything from regional groups (e.g., "Texas Furs") to special interests (furry gamers, furry writers, etc.). Don't be shy about joining and saying hello, remember, this community values friendliness. A simple post like, "Hi, I'm new and curious about making a fursona!" will likely get you multiple warm responses guiding you along. As sex columnist and kink educator Dan Savage might say, it gets better when you find your people, and in the internet age, your people are just a few clicks away.
2. Create a Fursona (Your Furry Self): While not strictly required, creating a fursona is a fun way to participate. Your fursona is your alter-ego in the furry community, you, but as an anthropomorphic animal (or mythical creature). This is where creativity blooms, choose colors, markings, clothing or accessories. If not, you can commission artwork from the countless furry artists available (many take commissions on FurAffinity or Twitter; some specialize in "fursona reference sheets" which show your character from multiple angles). Don't worry about getting it perfect right away, fursonas often evolve. The key is to have a character you feel connected to and excited about. Once you have a fursona, you might adopt a nickname based on it (e.g., NightFluff the bunny) to use in the community.
3. Connect and Communicate: With your new fursona in hand (or paw), start engaging. Post introductions in furry groups. Share a piece of artwork of your character, or even a short bio ("Hi, I'm JazzPaws, a leopard from California who loves EDM and drawing!"). The furry fandom is generally enthusiastic, you'll likely get folks saying "Welcome!" and maybe asking about your interests or fursona. You can also comment on others' posts/art, positively and supportively. Perhaps you see someone's ref sheet and love the colors; tell them! Networking in the furry fandom often happens through shared interests: if you love to draw, join art jams; if you dig games, hop into a furry gaming Discord and find people to play with (yes, there are furry Minecraft and D&D groups aplenty). The same holds true for furries: being genuine about being new will often bring out the helpful mentor instinct in experienced furs, who remember their own first steps fondly.
4. Attend a Furry Convention or Meetup: Once you're comfortable online, consider venturing to an IRL event. You don't need a fursuit to attend, in fact, most attendees do not wear full suits (at MFF only about 1 in 3 were in fursuit, and that's a high ratio).
5. Dive into Creative Projects: Part of getting involved is doing things within the community. Or try your hand at writing a short story featuring animal characters (sites like SoFurry and FurAffinity allow story submissions and have eager readers).
6. Observe and Respect Community Etiquette: Every group has its norms. For furries, beyond the consent and respect points mentioned, a few other etiquette tips will help you integrate smoothly. Avoid “cringe culture” or making fun of what others enjoy, positivity goes a long way. Don’t press people to remove their fursuit heads or reveal their real identity if they’re not offering (many suiters like to stay in character). Use people’s preferred names (usually their fursona or handle) unless they say otherwise. And remember, while furry is fun, for many it’s personal too, so general kindness is paramount.
7. Find Your Niche: As you become more involved, you'll naturally gravitate toward aspects of the fandom you enjoy most. "Rave furries" throw room parties and DJ sets at cons, you could join them (some even form dance crews). Into science and tech? There's the "Science Furries" Telegram, and even panels at cons for STEM-minded furs. Into spirituality or philosophy? Yes, there are furry spiritualists and furries who discuss deeper meanings of anthropomorphism. Maybe you're drawn to the performance side, you could practice a fursuit character act and perform in a masquerade or talent show.
8. Pace Yourself and Have Fun: Finally, a practical tip, it can be easy to get very excited and dive in headfirst (which is great!), but don’t burn out or overspend early on. For instance, commissioning art and buying partial fursuits can get expensive quickly. You don’t need to have the flashiest gear to be accepted. Some of the most beloved furries in the community hardly spend a dime, they contribute with friendship, jokes, or volunteering instead. Do what’s comfortable for your budget and energy. If you go to a con, take breaks (furry events can be high-stimulation environments; even extroverts get tired after bouncing around in a fursuit for hours!).
To quote a popular slogan seen on furry art and T-shirts: "Hang on, it's gonna be a wild ride!" The furry community is indeed a wild ride, exuberant, colorful, occasionally chaotic, but above all, welcoming. If you've read this far, perhaps the beast inside your mind is stirring, ready to step into the light. The adventure of being a furry, of understanding yourself and others through this creative lens, is one of self-discovery and joy. As a wise creature once said (okay, it was just me, a friendly fox): You know you are more than human… now you are the beast that slept inside your mind. Welcome to the pack!