Are Kids Really Identifying As Cats And Using Litterboxes At School? We Take A Deep Dive Into The World Of ‘Furries’

Their pronouns are Puss, Purr, Paws and Whiskers. They walk on all fours and insist on wearing diamante-encrusted collars to school. A litter tray lies in the corner of the communal bathroom, and teachers make sure there’s always fresh water and some tuna available in tiny bowls on the floor.

The mere thought of students coughing up furballs in class once prompted a Texas politician to file a bill prohibiting children from any “non-human behavior.” Under the Forbidden Unlawful Representation of Roleplaying in Educational Spaces (FURRIES) Act, there could be no hissing, no meowing, no licking oneself or others, and definitely no toilet time in a litter box.

Meanwhile, across the pond in the United Kingdom, similar concerns have seen schools sending out frantic memos to address the elephant (or cat) in the room. “We do not and will not be planning on providing any litter trays at the school,” wrote the deputy headteacher of one school in Wales. “Whilst we are an inclusive and welcoming school, we do not make any provision for any pupils who might identify as an animal of any kind.”

A letter sent to parents by the deputy headteacher of a Welsh school (Penarth Times)

Up to a million people worldwide consider themselves to be part of the ‘furry’ community but is it really as bad as some make it out to be? And are schools actually being infiltrated by these mysterious beings? Beyond the litter tray talk lies something a lot deeper, and many believe it’s time to let the cat out of the bag.