“From the Vault” is our EXCLUSIVE daily peek into the extensive library of WOW shows, interviews, and pop culture ephemera we’ve collected over the last three decades.

Today, we go back in time to 2001 to explore the still-underground phenomenon of the plushie and furry lifestyle.

Furries, as they are known, take on personas of the animal images they adored in childhood as a means of self-expression, dressing in elaborate suits and often adopting a name and character. Sometimes their furry behavior gets sexy. However, furries often clarify that they’re lifestyle should not be confused with bestiality. “Furry sexuality is just like normal sexuality; it’s got the same ideas that mundanes have, but they’re just furry-ized.”

This documentary is the first to pull back the curtain on the furry scene, with rare footage of members at conference. It follows 18-year-old Yote, short for “Coyote”, a newbie to the fandom as he explores his friend’s adorable animal suit collection, (dressing up and getting “yiffy” with his friend!) orders a coyote suit online, and heads for his first conference, to his mom’s dismay.

The piece was picked up by MTV’s documentary division, which is committed to working with established filmmakers in exploring uncharted territory. Executive producer, Lauren Lazin says, “When we first heard the pitch, we didn’t believe it was real. We thought they were making up this crazy story until we started surfing the net, and then we realized its potential interest for our viewers.”

Watch a clip from Plushies & Furries below.

Credits

Director: Rick Castro
Producers: Fenton Bailey & Randy Barbato
Co-producer: Thairin Smothers