Coronavirus: Furries cancel annual convention in Pittsburgh due to COVID-19 concerns

PITTSBURGH — Less than a week after Anthrocon organizers said they still hoped to hold their annual convention in Pittsburgh this summer, the group announced that the event has been canceled for 2020.

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“Due to the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, for which there is no timely end in sight, we have been forced to make the sad decision to cancel Anthrocon 2020," a letter on the Anthrocon website said Monday, according to WPXI-TV. "We had hoped to avoid it, but it has become clear that we will not be able to provide a convention experience that is both safe and enjoyable for our attendees. We are offering several choices to our attendees who have already paid for memberships."

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The gathering, described on its website as one of the world’s largest anthromorphics conventions, caters to the “furry fandom,” or devotees of “animals or objects given human characteristics,” according to the website. It had been slated for July 2 to 5.

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Organizers said hotels and some events are automatically issuing refunds.

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People who purchased memberships for the actual convention can request a refund online or defer their membership for the 2021 convention.

Click here for more information.

– The Cox Media Group National Content Desk contributed to this report.