Michigan Fur Needs Help Finding Local Furiends

Dear Papa Bear,

Let me just say thanks for taking time out of your day to read my messages. Your advice is really helpful! I'm sorry I waited so long to respond to your messages. I've been busy with school, personal stuff, a relative just passed away, etc. 

Anyway, I have another question. I was wondering if you have any advice for meeting furries in real life. I recently joined a Furry forum for furries in the Midwest called Michiganfurs.com. I've only been on the website for a couple days, but so far I dislike it because the interface is, well ... awful. But, I'll keep using it until I make contact with someone. 

I remember I Skyped with a furiend from DA once, but only one time. It was kind of awkward, because we had never spoken before. But, he lives in Nevada and I live in Michigan, so I don't think I'll ever meet him. :(

Anyway, back on topic. I was just wondering if you have any general advice for meeting furries IRL. 

Sincerely, 

Steve

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Dear Steve,

If I were you, I would give Michiganfurs.com (aka Midwest Furries, though most members are in Michigan) more of a chance. When I lived in Michigan this site really helped me to connect to a lot of furries. You’ll get used to the interface. A HUGE benefit of being a member of Midwest Furries is that the site includes a furry locator map. Also, there is FurryMap.net, where furries register their locations. There are quite a lot of us in Michigan.

Other sites you can use to find furries include Meetup.com, where you can search on “furry” to find possible furry meets in your area; however, at this time I don’t see any meet-up groups in your area.

Next, go to a furcon. There used to be an outstanding mid-size furcon in Novi Michigan called Furry Connection North, but, sadly, it has closed. HOWEVER, there is a new one in Grand Rapids called Great Lakes Fur Con (http://greatlakesfurcon.com) that will debut in 2014. I think I’ve heard of another furcon in Michigan starting up soon, but can’t recall at the moment where it is. If possible, you should also attend Midwest Furfest in Chicago (well, Rosemont, technically; http://www.furfest.org/). Even though it’s in Illinois, it is the third largest furry convention in the country and you’re sure to make connections there—provided you’re not the shy type. Many furcon sites allow you to register and search on other people who are going to that particular con, so you can chat with them online and, if you connect to someone you like, you can make plans to meet them at the con.

Another thing you can do is visit www.furry4life.org. Go to “Groups” and search on Michigan and you’ll find three or four groups where you can meet lots of people. You can also go to the Facebook group https://www.facebook.com/groups/MichiganFurries/.

Still another option is online gaming. If you play, say, World of Warcraft or some other online game like Everquest or Lord of the Rings, or fiddle around on SecondLife, you are bound to meet furries. Because there are so many doing online gaming, you are quite likely to find some who live in Michigan.

Now, if you are looking for a furry who is more than just a friend, you can also try www.FurryMate.com.

Hope these tips help, and hope you find some local furiends!

Cheers,

Papabear