This is a world where transformation is a relatively common occurrence. From witches practicing ancient magics, to modern tf apps; there are many paths to reshaping one's form. While most people have never dabbled themselves in the practice they probably do know someone who has.
Of course transformations aren't without their dangers. While a one off transformation poses little risk, extended time or repeating the same form can carry with them dire consequences. For example, a man who transforms into a cat often, might find himself with cat ears, and a tail even after returning to his original human form. In addition he might experience mental dependencies as well, even up to serious withdrawal symptoms if he doesn't retake his cat form. This is known as residual transformation syndrome or R.T.F.S for short.
Different types of transformations carry different levels of risks. Racial, gender, size, and age based tfs carry practically no risk of R.T.F.S. Plant, animal, and fungal tfs are considered low risk. As long as a person switches up their transformations or spends enough time as a human then R.T.F.S. symptoms are minimal.
Inanimate tfs are where risks start to become more pronounced. Tool, vehicular, furniture, and clothing tfs are medium risk; and these tfs are where people start to experience dependencies on the people that use them. High risk tfs are body parts, disposables, and food tfs. With these tfs R.T.F.S symptoms are expected even after one or two transformations. Of course the risk of R.T.F.S is highly dependent on the individual with some people being far more susceptible than others.
Even with the risks involved tfs and transformed individuals are protected by the 28th amendment which ensures a freedom of form. Society at large still treats transformed individuals as people. They are still able to vote, and are expected to pay taxes as long as they've made an income. But it isn't unheard of for a woman to marry a cushion, or for a man to show up at the family reunion as a pair of sneakers. When R.T.F.S symptoms become so advanced as to prohibit normal life custody (or ownership as it often is referred to) of the individual in question is rather easy to get and is done by court order. Once custody is received the form of the transformed individual becomes completely up to the “owner”; and custodianship can even be sold or rented out at their pleasure.
Now why don't we take this time to explore the lives of some of the transformers and transformees in this world.