There is some question as to what defines a 'furry'. Rarely are two people able to give the exact same answer. But the general consensus seems to be an attraction to anthropomorphic animals, most often those seen in TV shows, movies, anime, comics, and video games. Many artists specialize in drawing anthro animals, with varying degrees of sexiness and SFW levels. Quite often, furries have constructed their own 'fursona', an anthro version of themselves to be used in art and stories.
So it was an astonishing coincidence (or really careful and advanced planning from the event organizers) that an international furry convention was taking place in Las Vegas around the same time that the 2023 IAC began. To say Animlians were popular with furries would be a gross understatement. Over the years, many people have become Animalians to finally become the fursonas they wanted to be. Even at the very beginning, during the original Outbreak, furries came out of the closet to jump at the chance to become Animalians. One notable case was Sarah's father, Thomas Wesley.
As can be imagined, most of the people coming to Fur Fest 2023 were using the opportunity to go to not-so-distant Lyre and get themselves converted. Now, a large part of furry convention is people showing up furry suits. And considering how expensive they can be and the rarer occasions these suits can be worn publicly, they're quite often of inferior make. Of course, the Animalia virus completely removes the need for furry suits. Many people are attempting to hue as closely to their fursonas as possible. In fact, there is a contest for who can most closely match their fursona. Now, there are some rules. For starters, the fursona has to be existing at least one year before the convention with documented proof they weren't made up on the spot. Points were awarded for detail, both for the details of the original persona and how closely the converted Animalian tries to match those details. That would put them ahead of those who were lazy with details and non-specific with their characters.
Of course, some people base their fursonas off of species that the Animalia virus can't reproduce. Mainly mythical creatures like dragons, griffins, unicorns, etc. While there were limits to what people can become, they could get as close as possible. A separate contest was being held for those who have mythical fursonas. Animalia has the resources such as dyes, fake wings and horns, and masks to help enhance their looks. The guidelines were more lenient for this contest, but preexisting fursona and details still applies.
Of course, one big aspect that the furry convention will bring is the various new species of hermaphrodites. Things have come a long way since Project Hermaphroditus first started and it required a mundane animal being uplifted with the herm variant to start a new species. Now the herm chromosomes have been isolated and can be added to any preexisting strain of the Animalian virus. Even new Dinotopian forms were now available thanks to Dakota and Harper. Originally, all the existing herm Animalians would gather to welcome any new species of herms. Of course, as the numbers grew, they reduced it to just having one representative from each herm race. But with so many new people likely to become new herm species, it was decided to expand it into an event. The Herm Expo would be a constant presence throughout the convention, exhibiting all the herm Animalians both current and soon to be added. There was no certainty just how many new herm species will be add or how many will want to become preexisting strains. But the Herm Expo was being given the most spacious room for that.