Anthrocon was started in Albany New York in 1997 and had the attendance of 3-500 members, to growing in 2011 in Pittsburgh, PA to a member attendance of 4,400. The Anthrocon convention has grown eight times its size since it came to Pittsburgh in 2006. Making Anthrocon convention the largest of its type in the world and is held in Pittsburgh Pa, every year at the David Lawrence Convention Center. In 2007 Anthrocon was featured in the Guinness World Records (2008 edition) as “the largest furry fan club” in the world. Being held in Pittsburgh is a boost to the local economy, estimated bringing in around $5 million in 2010 to local businesses. Anthrocon on the average brings in around $3million into the local economy every year. There is a theme for the convention every year such as: "Making History", "Looking to the Future", "It's a Jungle Out There", "OMG Aliens", in 2011 it was "The Anthropomorphic Institute of Magic" and the 2012 theme of the Anthrocon Convention is "A Midsummer Night’s Dream".

            Anthrocon Inc. is a 501(c)7 filing status organization which raises funds for charities in the local area of the convention. In 2011 Anthrocon raised over $11,000 for Pittsburgh’s ToonSeum located in the downtown area of Pittsburgh. Antrocon gives to charities that are animal friendly and/or character based. Besides the ToonSeum in 2011 Anthrocon supported charities such as “Fayette Friends of Animals”, “Animal Rescue League Wildlife Rehabilitation”, “Pittsburgh Parrot Rescue”, “Animal Friends” and many others. This year’s charity in 2012 will be “Hello Bully”, a local pit bull rescue, rehabilitator and educator. The 2011 charity ToonSeum’s Joe Wos says, “We are delighted to be this year’s recipient of the Anthrocon charities. Anthrocon brings so much to the Pittsburgh community, they are a wonderful group of people as they are heavily involved and they really do embrace the charities”.

To see whole video interview click here:

http://youtu.be/iV1tHb4tnSc

Antrocon convention is a “Furry” convention for people who like anthropomorphism or people with animal features or traits, (humanlike animal characters). Anthrocon hosts the world’s largest “Furry” parade during their convention every year. The parade gets larger every convention. In 2011 the Furry parade had 869 furies in it. Anthrocon should beat that record in 2012 due to the growth of the convention every year.

To see 2011’s Furry parade click here:

             Some individual “Furies” opened up and let us know why they became or are “Furies”. 

“Squeeky Chewtoy” says, “I love animals, I love costuming so it’s fun to combine the two. I draw anima morphics and it’s just a lot of fun to come here and be silly”

“Timbers” says, “Living as an animal alter ego is fascinating to me. I can’t tell you exactly why it’s just a feeling that I had since I was a kid I always thought it would be interesting to experience a life in a more furral since”.

“Kumo” says, “When I seen a Fur-Con I thought “Oh that’s so interesting a bunch of people who come together and share interest of a talking animal or just an animal with human characteristics”.

“SpottacusCheetah” says, “Being a Furry varies among different people for me I felt a connection to it at a very young age I had a very strong connection with animals and I felt an in particular attraction to cats”. I like it when I put my suit on, no one knows my age, race, sex, gender and people respond to you very differently people will hand you babies on the street and give you hugs and take pictures of you. They start talking to you in a very different way that they wouldn’t do to strangers.”

To watch all or any of the Interview videos please click:

There are many different guest speakers who are invited to speak at the convention. Some have been author and illustrator James Gurney, puppeteer and director Jim Martin, character developer and Artist Joe Harris, character artist and story designer Ben Balistreri, and illustrator and television producer Bob Boyle. In 2011 the two guests of honor were, author and illustrator Andy Runton, and writer Peter S. Beagle. To see interviews please click here for Andy Runton:

For Interview with writer Peter S. Beagle and Andy Runton please click here:

In 2012 the guests of honor will be comic artist, animator director, TV Repairman Mike Kazaleh of Sly Cooper Fame, among many others, and Dev Madan. There also will be a special appearance by “Sardyuon”.

Anthrocon has a group photo taken of dressed “Furies” right before the Furry Parade every year. They do this to highlight the number of fully dressed furies all at the same place at the same time. This photo gets larger and larger every year, in 2011 it was 869 furies in the photograph. To see world record breaking group photo please click here:

 The Anthrocon convention are not just people dressed up in furry outfits. Anthrocon convention members are members of the computer and science fields mainly. Most of which have advanced college degrees. The Furry fan base is very diverse due to the fact that fans and members of Anthrocon Inc. are from all races, genders, ages and orientations from all over the world. There really is no difference in this then being part of a Star Track fan group and dress up like the captain, or being part of a Star Wars fan group and walking around looking like DarthVader. There are animal characters used in many different ways. We use them in advertising slogans like on cereal boxes, or on gas pumps just to name a few. Cartoon characters were used to help train our troops in the United States during WWII withthe character “SNAFU”. We cheer for the local teams’ mascots and watch some cartoons when we get a chance or just so happen to catch the new ones when our kids are watching TV. Cartoon characters have been used to educate both Adults and children, for many years. Here in Pittsburgh you cannot go to a professional sports game without seeing “Steely McBeam”, “Iceburgh”, or the “Pirate Parrot” and we cheer for them at almost every game. Those three also go out to community events like most of the furies in the convention when Anthrocon comes into town. Just think how you feel when Pittsburgh mascots come to a community day and you run over to get your photo taken. The convention can be thought as having all of or most of the mascots in the country right here at the same time even though most are not a teams’ mascot but it is the same concept. Some of the suits are cartoon characters, team mascots, or just original characters made up by artists or suiters.

Pittsburgh has furies all over the city during the Anthroconconvention in the beginning of the summer every year. When you see a furry you can talk with them however some do not speak because they are in costume or character. Mostly all furies like to take photographs so ask and I think they would not mind at all.

The Anthrocon Convention in 2012 will be held from June13, 2012 and end June 17th 2012:

 To findout about times and events during this year's convention please checkout:

 http://www.anthrocon.org/

To see all 18 videos shot by J.L. Martello / 18ricco click here: http://youtube.com/18ricco

Written By J.L. Martello / 18ricco

Photo(s) By J.L. Martello / 18ricco

Video(s) By J.L. Martello / 18ricco

Contact "Ricco" J.L. Martello

Cell: 412-583-6901

Email: martellogino@yahoo.com