Avoiding Bans and Bewares in the Furry Community

** Art by: Senka Bekic // found on their DA: http://senkabekic.deviantart.com/ **

This is a post that I have been wanting to make for awhile concerning bans and bewares in the Furry Community. I know that being a Furry has become more mainstream. Nowadays…people of younger and younger ages are joining the fandom, and the more that join, the more that the rules of the community become ever-more blurred…and people get banned and get stuck on beware posts for totally avoidable reasons.

So lets talks about what a beware and a ban is…

A beware post can be when someone has done something that could be considered a “scam” in the furry community OR they have shown to be extremely rude, violent, or a troll. For example…say that a customer pays to have a Fursuit head made. They pay the money for the head (or at least enough to get the project started) and then the artist/maker says that they will begin right away. A few months pass, and the customer has heard nothing from the maker about the progress of their head. At this point, they might have made more payments…so now they reach out to the maker asking for pictures of the progress of their head. That maker says they can’t take pictures…because their phone is broken, or because they messed up the head and had to start over. A few more months pass, and there is still no evidence to show that the head is being worked on. Now the customer is asking for a refund…but they can’t get one because the maker has already spent the money and/or claims they need it and will pay it back in payments (that then never come back), and/or they block the customer altogether and still say they are open for new commissions. At this point, that maker can be written up for an “Artist Beware Post”…meaning that a good chunk of the Furry Community will see what they have done, that they are not reliable, and it will mean they get little to no business from now on. These posts happen for non-suit makers as well, and regular artists can get a beware post on them as well for not completing pieces of art that were paid for and/or not giving refunds when they drop a project. These beware posts also get posted because of art-thieves. When someone traces someone else’s work and claims it as their own or they re-color something that was not made by them original and sell it for profit…this can be a reason for a beware post as well.

The other type of beware post is a “behavioral” post. This means that someone has gone out of their way to be a complete asshole in the community or has proven to be nothing more than a furry-hating troll. Usually the people that get behavioral-beware-posts are people that get mad when confronted about possible art-theft (usually for using a profile picture that is not their art, not their fursona, or just not crediting an image) OR they are mad because they added a stranger expecting to have some sort of sexual role-play, they get turned down, and then get angry about it. Also, as mentioned before, trolls just wanting to start drama will get the beware post so people can avoid adding these people in the future. Also, people that get angry in groups for not following rules and then they lash out…they may get a behavioral post as well.

Speaking of groups…lets discussing banning people…

People who get banned are people that join some sort of Furry-related group, and then fail to follow the rules. Every Furry group is different, and while mistakes happen, it’s important that a member often remind themselves what they can and can-not do within a specific group. For example…I am part of the group “Furry and Loving it” (FaLi). The group is a safe-haven for those in the furry community, and because there are younger members…there is a limit as to what can be posted in the group whether furry-related or not. Obviously, there cannot be anything NSFW (not safe for work) considering the fact that not everyone in the group is 18+, also, there is no gore or other fetishes allowed (no scat or watersports or anything of that nature…no dirty diapers or birthings…nothing of that nature)— also, anything that might deliberately start drama is not allowed…so no discussions on politics or religion. There are other topics that get added to the list of things that cannot be posted as well because it starts so much drama (dog breeding was recently added to this list), and, Neko characters and anything MLP/Brony related (my little pony) cannot be posted in the group because of how many people feel that being a Brony is not the same as being a Furry.

Another thing about FaLi is that they are strict on crediting art…and this is a great thing! They try to prevent art theft at ALL costs, but, there are some people that just fail to understand this logic. Instead of crediting an artist, they will just say “I found it on Google”, and that’s not good enough. Then their post is removed, they are given a warning, and, if they continue to make this mistake…they will get banned. FaLi is not the only group that does this…in fact, it’s pretty common and mandatory in ALL furry-related groups since art theft has become such a big problem. But, people just don’t feel like doing it and/or try and make an excuse saying they cannot credit an artist because they are posting from their phone. But, it’s simple…if you can NOT credit the artist, then just don’t post anything…and avoid getting in trouble 😀

Banning can also happen for other reasons as well…such as fighting with an Admin in a group or harassing another member. If at any point you fight with an Admin and disrespect them in any way, you can almost guarantee a ban. I can say that Admins are not always right, but they are in control…and their word is law. I know that there have been instances where a member has gotten an Admin removed for their behavior, but those instances are few and far in between.  Also, harassing another member can be anything. It can be constant messaging where the other person does not wish to be spoken to, or it could be attempts at a role-play where it gets sexual and the other person does not want to participate and yet, the person mailing them tries to keep it going anyways. These are several examples of what could get someone banned, and just like beware posts, they are completely avoidable.

…and while you might not think a ban or a beware is that bad, you are sorely mistaken…

For those looking to sell their artwork…a beware can literally ruin that dream in an instant. People that love their Fursona and that have become pretty established in the fandom often join beware groups and ask the group to watch out for anyone using their character without permission. If you steal someone’s artwork, or trace over a pose of a well-known character, you WILL get caught. And when you do…your name will be posted all over Facebook, all over FurAffinity, and All of DeviantArt, and other art sites where they will tell others to report you as well as to NEVER buy art from you. Sure, maybe you learned from your mistakes…that won’t matter. All it takes is that one beware posts and you are on people’s watch list for life.

Same with behavioral bewares and bans.
Your name will be known…every time you make a new account, they will list your new account. People will report you, will not friend you, and you will be shunned among the community for how you held yourself. You will not be allowed into groups if they find out you are on some sort of beware list, and you will basically be marked as a troll. While it may not seem like a big deal now…the furry community is pretty tight-knit, and you eventually figure it out that it is NEVER a good thing to be isolated and alone within a  fandom that you joined because you finally felt like you belonged somewhere.

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So, here are some tips on how to avoid getting bewares and bans:

1. NEVER copy another artist. Do not trace the poses or the faces. Practice makes perfect and while tracing may help you…keep the works you have traced to yourself. Do not post them online to show off or give them to your friends so that they might post them and get you into trouble. Only post your own original works online. Coloring over something already drawn does not make you an artist.

2. Editing bases is 50/50…some artists allow you to color/edit their bases for personal use, others will let you make adoptables for sale, but there are some artists that do NOT allow free use of their base, let alone allowing a person to make adoptables with it…so before you go and edit a base, make sure you read the rules of that artist and ALWAYS credit the person that made the base (same goes with lineart).

3. ALWAYS credit art…
   If you just found it on Google and cannot find who really made it, do NOT post it. Also, if you can not credit because you are on a mobile device or something of that nature do NOT post it. You can wait until you can reach a computer or just not post at all since you are only going to get yourself in trouble.

4. When joining a group…ALWAYS read the rules! If a group says you cannot post something particular…do not whine about it, just don’t post it. You’re arguing about it will not change the rules, it will only get you warnings and then a ban (most likely).

5. Do NOT disrespect an Admin in any group…EVER! Maybe if you see them harassing another member you can take it up with a different Admin, but never attack them directly. You will get banned.

6. NEVER make a promise you cannot keep. If you say you will make someone a tail, you make it, and then suddenly cannot ship it…this is bad business. People will understand that life happens…but eventually it just becomes annoying and looks more like a scam. ALWAYS have funds set aside for shipping that you will not touch for anything else. Always have that plan A,B,C,D and so-on to get your product to the customer. Life happens…but not everyone is patient, and a beware is not worth it.

7. Do NOT offer to make something you are not comfortable making. If you are just trying out suit making for the first time…do not take commissions! See how much all the materials cost. See if you can make a few suits for yourself and close-friends before you make something for a complete stranger. Dropping a project due to lack of fund or because it’s stressful and etc will mean refunding money, lots of angry messages, and could lead to a beware…so practice on yourself first, build up a nice gallery of images to show potential customers later. Watch how long it takes to make something so that you can give a proper time-estimate, and gauge the supplies so you know what to charge and do not end up short on money and unable to buy supplies.

8. This is just a tip…but, if you’re making art (or even making a suit), please make sure you give a WIP or Updates on a piece that is going to take longer than a week. Let someone know if there are customers in front of them and/or when you might be able to start their project. Set aside time to get commissions done…even the smallest little message saying: “Hey, I’m almost done with the person in front of you and then I will start on your piece”…even that little bit is helpful, keeps the customer from feeling angry about not having their piece yet or nervous, thinking they might be scammed. the calmer and happier you can keep a customer, the better your chances of not having to give a refund or facing a beware post.

9. NEVER use a profile picture that is not yours (For any social site. Do not even use them for RP purposes…that is still art theft)…
   It does not have to be a real picture, but rather, make sure it is art that you made or that you paid for. Make sure it is ALWAYS credited properly and that it is YOUR character and not someone else’s. This will avoid a lot of conflict.

10. Be considerate to people in the fandom. If someone asks you politely to not post something because they find it hurtful and an Admin agrees that the post should be removed…do not attack the Admin or the person for it. Just keep in mind that this is something not allowed in the group or forum and just be careful not to post something like that in the future. It is true that everyone is different, and being a furry is not a hive-mind of peoples…but even still, you can carry on conversations and remain involved in the fandom even if you cannot post a specific type of thing because it tends to start drama or triggers people.

11. Do not join a group and beg…for ANYTHING.
    Do not beg for someone to help you make a Fursona, do not beg for artwork, do not beg for a mate or for a role-play. There are free furry art groups where you can post for artwork or help with a sona…and while some people might want to help you, the majority will tell you that you either need to draw it yourself, or find a way to make money so that you can afford artwork like everyone else.

12. Do NOT make fanart of anyone without their permission. Might seem crazy…but, it’s actually very important. People love free art, but some people do not like to have their character drawn…and they especially do not want their characters presented in a certain way. Making a T-shirt of your favorite furry and then wanting to send it to them, or drawing someone in a NSFW way or something that is revealing may not sit well with the owner and can cause drama.

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There are other examples as well…but most of it (as mentioned before) is just common sense. Do NOT blame it on being young…even younger people can read and can follow rules. If you merely get a warning for something, do NOT lash out…just fix the mistake and never make it again. Lesson learned, right? Do not go blaming behavior on mental illness…if you can not find a way to control yourself, then maybe you should not put yourself in situations where you are bound to break the rules in the first place. I know several people with varying illnesses at varying degrees and even they can keep themselves composed and can follow the rules. No one like someone that begs for attention and that deliberately causes drama.

So please take this into account when becoming part of the furry fandom.
We are not new…we are a fandom that has been around for quite some time, and we do have our rules and codes of conduct that we expect people to follow. But while this mostly speaking out for people just joining the fandom…let this be a reminder to those that have been in the fandom for awhile that we are coaches, we are teachers to the newer ones joining our ranks each and every day. Before reporting someone…try and talk to them, try to explain the rules to them so that maybe they can change their ways and do better next time.

But…that’s all I have for this one.
Stay tuned for more furry-highlights coming up and then a new “Fursuit Friday” within the next 2 days!!! See you all in the next blog 😉