Hi everyone, as you may know my sister is in the mermaid community and is basically trying to revive the NY scene from the dead. Here is her sleep-deprived message to all of you:

Hi y'all. Inquy here, real name Inga. I am Gam’s sister, you may have seen me at his bday meetup :)

I always crack jokes that the mermaid and furry community are siblings, except fursuits and water don't mix. While we have no plans to merge the two communities in any way, I've asked my brother if he would kindly help boost this fundraiser: https://gofund.me/1bd867e5

There is absolutely no pressure but I'm really hoping this community might help donate and/or share.

This fundraiser is about helping the most prominent mermaid in New York City - a wonderful woman who has overcome multiple challenges and is just a little down on her luck right now. But this fundraiser is also about the entire mermaid community as a whole.

Let me explain.

Our monthly swim meetups ended when the only organization hosting meetups suddenly discontinued them and stopped responding to messages (we have confirmed the people in charge are okay, just seem to have lost interest in the community). I have reached out to them multiple times trying to get clarification whether this was a temporary hiatus or if we should look for another way to swim. No response. It has been over a year since our pod has had a local meetup. I've also since reached out to the indoor pool we used to go to and got no response.

I’ve been meaning to do something about this for a while, but was working on getting my PADI Mermaid Instructor cert, emergency first response cert, and working on my underwater photography.

But then I found out that our most prominent member is currently struggling with finances and cannot work because of severe pain. So I needed to do something about it, and that took precedence. So that’s why I created this fundraiser.

Whether you can donate right now isn't what matters most, although every dollar counts (boosts the algo just a little). What's important is generating enough momentum and visibility so people feel inspired to share and notice that the mermaid community takes care of its own.

Securing pools for mermaid meetups is an uphill battle because of lifeguard requirements, operational costs, liability, etc. so my goals here are twofold:
1) Get Cookie back on her feet - all of the money from this fund goes directly to her (we are working on getting her last name changed w/ GoFundMe, it was just not changed when she married)
2) Use this momentum to show local community pools (which can be cheaper and easier to rent than private pools) that we take care of our community so that they allow us to have meetups

Many people are drawn to the community for its beauty, but I notice a lack of actual social cohesion. I am hoping to show folks that we are here for each other.

I also know that Cookie would be ecstatic if we could get the meetups restarted as it would help her pain. P.S. Feel free to reach out. I’m @inquy here and also on insta/bluesky(no fb).

We have made it easy for you to create your own event on the NYFurs website!

Simply fill out this application form here, and we will do the rest!

gamboiuwu

Hi everyone! with the new anti-mask mandate, I want it to be known that this could become a potential issue in our future meets in Long Island.

In case you didn't know, Nassau County made a "anti-mask" mandate this August. The new ban makes it a crime for anyone to wear a mask or face covering to hide their identity, except for health or religious reasons. Violating the new law is a misdemeanor offense punishable by up to a year in jail and a $1,000 fine. As such, fursuits are subject to the same restriction, putting both us and the business in scrutiny.

While private spaces (i.e. areas we rent out while bowling, private airbnbs/rooms, and event spaces) are not subject to this rule, Round 1 is considered to be a public space. For the time being, I would like to ask everyone to mask in spaces that would surround you with people. Photoshoots, brief moments, the bowling space, and food court allow fursuiting. If you choose to suit around the arcade games, we would like to ask you to suit away from people to prevent any future conflict. Please understand that Round 1 has always welcomed us. We do not want to hurt the reputation of the business by leaving customers unsatisfied. It does not matter if customers are in the right or wrong, this is their business. We want to stay on good terms with the employees and managers, so please be mindful when they do ask you to stop suiting. They won't ever kick you out because they know you're a good customer, they are just protecting themselves. Please do not hold anything against the employees or managers for just following the rules.

In any case, I would strictly encourage those in ties with local officials to take a stand against this mandate. This rule doesn't just affect furries—it has broader implications for people in various communities. It unfairly targets individuals who wear masks for religious reasons, and can put immunocompromised individuals at risk by discouraging mask use for health purposes. While the exceptions exist, the vagueness of the law leaves room for misinterpretation and selective enforcement, which leads to unnecessary conflicts. We need to make it clear that laws like these create more harm than good by stigmatizing communities and limiting personal freedom.  There is already a federal lawsuit taking place against this law, so we may have hope for the future.

We are doing whatever it takes to make sure it doesn't tap into the safety of attendees.

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/federal-lawsuit-challenges-public-face-covering-ban-nassau-county-new-rcna167936

With that said, let’s keep our events welcoming and peaceful, and let’s also do our part in being good customers to Round 1 : )

gamboiuwu

We want as many people to know about furry events around the area as possible. Let us know about your furry event by sending us a short email at staff@nyfurs.org, and we'll list your event on our site for free!

Send email

Additionally, you can create your own event on the site by making an account and following this guide below. Just post your event to the "Home" page, and our mods will post your event after review. External websites are allowed.

NYFurs Full Events Guide

As many of you know, our events are the heartbeat of the NYFurs community. Whether it's a casual meetup, a themed event, or one of our larger gatherings, we work tirelessly to bring you experiences that are fun, engaging, and full of that special NYFurs spirit. But have you ever wondered how these events come to life?

The Planning Process: More Than Just a Date on the Calendar

Every six months, we roll out a new batch of events—one season from August to February, and the next from March to August.

Our dedicated team of 20 staff members, each bringing their unique skills and ideas to the table, starts brainstorming months in advance. We consider everything from the location, theme, and logistics to how each event will contribute to building and strengthening our community. We want every event to be a reflection of what makes NYFurs special, whether it's a chill hangout or a more organized activity.

Turning Ideas into Reality

Once the ideas are on the table, the real work begins. Our team dives into the nitty-gritty details: securing venues, managing budgets, and coordinating with furry volunteers. Each event is carefully curated to ensure it meets our standards and delivers a memorable experience for everyone involved. :3

And it's not just about what happens on the day of the event. We think about the entire journey—how you'll hear about the event, how you'll sign up, and what you'll need to know before you arrive. Our goal is to make the process as smooth as possible so that all you have to focus on is having a great time.

The Role of Feedback

We're always looking for ways to improve, and that's where you come in. Your feedback is invaluable to us. After each event, we take the time to review what went well and where we can make improvements. This helps us fine-tune our future events and ensure we're always meeting the needs and desires of our community.

If you have any feedback you'd like to provide for NYFurs, please let us know at staff@nyfurs.org.

Looking Ahead

As we move into our next season, we're excited to bring you even more amazing events. We've got some fantastic ideas cooking, and we can't wait to share them with you. You are the reason we do what we do, and we look forward to creating more unforgettable furry memories together.

See you at the next event!

The NYFurs Team

Hello, furries! 

After months of development, we are happy to say our NYFurs events website is now LIVE! This means the process for event signup and management is much easier than before. It also means more people will start joining our events.

We encourage everyone to create an account on the new website to stay up-to-date with all the exciting events planned from September 2024 through February 2025. By signing up through the website, you'll gain access to exclusive event details, receive reminders, and have a streamlined way to register and manage your attendance.

Remember, as we transition to this new system, the Discord channel will still provide updates, but the website will be the primary hub for all things NYFurs events. Also; the website may not be perfect right now. Please let us know if you have any issues. Upstate NY furs, we're working to get you more events in the coming months. Please stay tuned for further announcements. 

Thank you to the rest of the NYFurs team, staff and volunteers, for helping us make this happen. Your passion for this community is what keeps NYFurs thriving, and we’re excited to continue growing together. 

Looking forward to seeing you at our upcoming events! Hope to see you at the next event! 

The NYFurs Team