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• Who are we? People who consider themselves beasts and have genuine grounds for doing so? Or individuals distinct enough to no longer be considered human? Neither fully human nor fully beast.

• Medicine recognizes an unofficial concept known as "clinical lycanthropy"—a condition where a person believes themselves to be an animal. This is almost always linked to serious mental illness. However, three percent of these cases remain unexplained: instances where the individual is entirely mentally sound yet exhibits specific, inexplicable anomalies that are not merely imitations. Such phenomena have been documented since ancient times—unlike the modern movements and social circles spawned by late 20th-century Western civilization. Modern science offers no definitive explanation, providing only theories based on neurophysiology. From that same scientific perspective, we represent a ratio of one in ten million. The tens of thousands of other "therianthropes" worldwide have no connection to this specific phenomenon.

• The spread of information regarding therianthropy has led to ambiguity and confusion, ranging from varying definitions of the term itself to the fragmentation and classification of the "beast within" into a multitude of distinct "therianthropies." If a given resource links therianthropy to the occult, esoteric practices, promises of physical transformation through spiritual refinement, or problem-solving via "finding harmony with one's inner beast," it has absolutely nothing to do with us. We are likewise unrelated to various "animal-themed" subcultures—such as furries, werewolves, "quadrobers," and the like—or even the "therianthrope" subculture itself. We are defined primarily by behavioral responses and norms, including those concerning morality and ethics. If this perspective on therianthropy does not suit you, simply move on. Elsewhere, you may find a definition of therianthropy that suits you. There are plenty of online resources that adopt concepts of therianthropy borrowed from us but represent a wide spectrum of groups—ranging from role-players to totalitarian cults.

• We define therianthropy as a genuine phenomenon recognized by science.

Merely identifying with another species, imitating animal behaviors (whether consciously or unconsciously), or displaying outward signs of "animality" does not constitute therianthropy.

The essence of therianthropy lies in the fundamental distinction between humans and animals. One should consider therianthropy only when—applying Occam's Razor—no other explanation fits one's behavior.

• The form of therianthropy we discuss is a genuine reality, confirmed by scientific disciplines such as medicine, anthropology, and ethnography. Thus, our concept of therianthropy is objective—existing independently of human consciousness. In contrast, there is a subjective (idealistic) form—something that exists solely within the human mind without confirmation in the real world. Therefore, therianthropy based merely on fiction and fantasy—existing only in the minds of its adherents without real-world validation—is classified as subjective therianthropy.

• Mass subjective therianthropy is effectively part of the "otherkin" subculture—a group of people who identify as non-human and for whom there is no significant difference between identifying as a coffee maker and identifying as a wolf.

The essence of typical "therianthropes" is quite simple. These individuals usually make a conscious choice to adopt a specific set of animal traits—whether real or, more often, fabricated—to construct an "animal" persona that they present to others. Their therianthropy is simply a mask. This is quite apparent; their "animal" repertoire is extremely limited. They discard vast and crucial aspects of behavior and the very essence of an animal's life. They adopt only what suits them and does not interfere with their "therian" persona. Yet, there is no understanding of the interconnectedness—of why certain elements cannot exist in isolation from others. It is easy to spot what is missing and what shouldn't be there. Some of these individuals construct these repertoires partly unconsciously, believing these traits have been with them since birth and viewing them as proof of their animal nature. While this does not actually make them animals, it gives them the conviction that they are "real."

• According to scientific research, the modern "phenomenon" of therianthropy exists almost exclusively within Western/European cultures, barring isolated exceptions. Try finding a "European-style" therian in Mongolia, for instance. Cases of genuine therianthropy are independent of country, nationality, culture, or mentality, and are always rare.

It was only when therianthropes began seeking out others like themselves via digital communication—a process that occurred independently in America and Russia—that a subculture emerged, turning "therianthropy" into a trend. A counterfeit cannot exist without an original, and one cannot imitate something whose existence is unknown. Those who discovered therianthropy tended to adopt only the traits that presented them in the most favorable light. Within the subculture, these facts are often obscured, as none of the "therianthropes" are capable to explain—without acknowledging the social nature of their "therianthropy"—the existence of people who "perceive themselves as beasts" in a very specific way in only a handful of countries, and why their "identity phenomenon" does not exist independently worldwide.

• In your search for like-minded individuals, you will constantly encounter those who call themselves therianthropes, claim to hate lies, betrayal, and hypocrisy, and write about animalistic morality and rules—yet ultimately turn out to be moral monstrosities, the exact opposite of what they profess to be. It is a classic case of the cover not matching the contents. Do not despair, however; there are indeed those who live by animalistic principles rather than merely paying lip service to them. Yet such cases are extremely rare, so one should never let one's guard down.

• There is nothing mysterious or supernatural about therianthropy; only the mechanism of its origin remains unknown. To understand what therianthropy is and what therianthropes are, one must seriously study biology (especially ethology), anthropology, ethnography, and psychology—a process that can take five to ten years. Anyone with the desire can invest the time to understand therianthropy. However, to realize that the so-called "therianthrope subculture" has absolutely nothing to do with either beasts or actual therianthropes, one needs only a basic knowledge of ethology. References to therianthropy in academic literature are extremely rare but can be found if one looks—though one should search in academic libraries rather than on the Internet.

• We do not promote therianthropy itself, nor the variants of it that are widespread online, nor the trendy "quadrobics" phenomenon. We do not urge people to adopt these identities, nor do we discuss these passing fads popular among young people and unstable individuals. You won’t find stories here about being "cool" or "amazing." The lives of real therianthropes are virtually invisible to society, yet they create social adjustment challenges for the therianthropes themselves. This site was created to facilitate socialization among those who share this nature.

• This site exists so that people like us can find one another, overcome loneliness, learn not to take human misunderstanding to heart, and figure out how to live among humans while remaining beasts at heart. We cannot solve every problem—since few have simple solutions—but we can help each other make our time in this world as bearable as possible. We can help you minimize the trouble you cause yourself and others as we navigate this difficult existence.

• Above all, we want to see only those like us in our midst; to everyone else, we ask: please simply move along and understand that our affairs and issues do not concern you. You wouldn't try to join an association for the blind unless you were blind yourself, right? Although some people do try... Believe us—in our case, it would be a waste of your time. Therianthropes are extremely rare; we estimate the ratio to be one genuine therianthrope for every hundred people who claim to be one. If you seek to connect with us, be prepared to meet mature individuals with significant life experience—and be ready to maintain a corresponding level of communication. There are distinct differences between humans and beasts—both in how they relate to their own kind and to the world at large—and we want to include only those who recognize this. Therefore, if you cannot explain to us why you are a beast (without citing "shifting," basic animal behaviors and instincts, "predatory nature," etc.), how you differ from humans, and exactly whom you consider "your own kind," please move along.

• If you stumbled upon this site while browsing the Web, or if it was recommended to you, read the posted materials carefully and give serious thought to whether you belong here. Then move on: the Internet is vast, and you will find something there that suits you better. If you are simply looking for entertainment, look elsewhere. If you identify with the furry subculture, look elsewhere. This is not a kindergarten or a sandbox for playing games. There is no universal joy or amusement here; instead, there are very serious, specific challenges. We do not imagine ourselves to be animals, we do not don animal masks or seek the "beast within," we do not strive to proclaim our superiority over anyone (for none exists), and we have no need to prove our "otherness" to everyone—we *are* animals. If you feel that the community of furries, roleplayers, or otherkin is not for you, and you see yourself as something more than a child playing at being a cute animal, that does not necessarily mean you are a therianthrope. Even if you are convinced that you are a 100% genuine, lifelong therianthrope (including in the sense commonly understood online), that does not mean we must regard you as one of us. It is possible that you are simply trying to resolve adolescent issues or other life problems in this way.

• We do not feel an affinity for most people—and it is not hard to understand why—but we do not call for genocide, we do not promote misanthropy, and we are categorically opposed to any manifestations of fascism or Nazism. Your race or nationality does not matter to us; these are merely human distinctions.

• If you are looking for a world of virtual fantasy, you had best look elsewhere. If you are seeking virtual or real "exotic" sexual thrills, move along. If you are looking for sexual partners of various orientations, look elsewhere; there are already plenty of those online. We are not a dating service—unlike some humans, beasts are not sexually obsessed. For a therianthrope, belonging to a sexual minority is never a barrier to interacting with us. Humans, however, are better off passing us by. If you try to justify your tendencies toward aggression, violence (including sexual violence), sadism, or destructiveness by claiming to be a beast, move along. Such things are alien to beasts. We are not a community of maniacs, criminals, or terrorists; there is no place for such people among us. If you are a zoophile—someone sexually attracted to animals—move along. There are no genuine therianthropes who engage in sexual acts with animals.

• If you believe that beasts lack all morality and ethics, that they do whatever they please without any constraints on their actions, then move along. We are far more constrained in our actions than humans who follow conventional human morality. Those who call themselves therianthropes while claiming to be free from morality, ethics, and rules of conduct have absolutely nothing to do with therianthropy; they merely use their alleged "animality" as a cover for a desire to do whatever they please, and to justify their lies, baseness, moral degradation, and sexual obsessions—even extending to the rape of minors.

• If you do not understand how animals view lying, please move along.

• We are not schizophrenics. From a psychiatric perspective, schizophrenia and therianthropy are completely different things. We are mentally healthy; we perceive the world realistically and interact with it accordingly. We see the world through the eyes of a wolf, tiger, boar, etc. If you consider us mentally ill, then prove it.

• If you are a religious fanatic (cultist) or a missionary trying to convert us to your faith, share your "Truth" with us, or believe we need saving—please move along. If you are an occultist who has found information somewhere on how to become a werewolf, please move along. We do not believe in magic or anything of the sort.

• If you are a role-playing game enthusiast and think we are just like you—please move along. Our animal nature is always our primary and most important aspect; other hobbies are a matter of personal choice.

• If you believe you can physically transform into a beast, you shouldn't be talking to us—you should go to the nearest psychiatric hospital. Unfortunately, this is impossible, no matter how much many of us might wish otherwise... We are realists, not mentally ill.

• If, to you, we are merely another target online for mockery, abuse, ridicule, and so on... ...and if you wish to taunt us—as you might taunt an ordinary animal in a cage—then please move along. This is not the place—nor is anywhere else—to indulge your hooliganistic or sadistic impulses.

• If you know you are a beast in a human body but, for whatever reason, do not wish to interact with others like yourself, simply take what you need from here. Whether to seek interaction or solitude is a personal choice. We welcome those who seek to connect with their own kind.

• If, after reading the above, you still wish to get to know us better, please write to our contact address. However, please do not take offense if you are denied interaction because you are not a beast. If you truly are a therianthrope and wish to connect, you will find what you have been searching for among us. Please note the following:

1. You are not communicating with individual personalities, but with the site administration as a whole. All email responses are drafted collectively;

2. We all have jobs and are quite busy, so we cannot reply instantly—at best, we respond once a week. We ask for your patience;

3. The administration, as well as our current community, consists of middle-aged and older beasts. Younger individuals should be aware that they are unlikely to find peers of their own age here;

4. Before writing to us, please try to learn as much as you can about beasts on your own. While we could certainly lecture on zoology, biology, ethology, and so forth, we simply do not have the time.

We look forward to it and hope that, through this site, you will finally find others like yourself and that we can help one another ^_^

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