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The Furry Forest Code

The Furry Forest is a place where every beast is encouraged to be themselves and share their talents, ideas, and experiences with the entire group. The guidelines below are to prevent or minimize the potential of furs' feelings being hurt and to maintain the flame-free, all-ages, peaceful nature of our home. We ask all who join to please abide by the Forest's Code so this group will always be a safe place where furs feel welcomed, appreciated, and cared for.

In all you say and do in these woods, please keep the following in mind:

· If you can't say something nice about other members and their contributions, please don't say anything at all (just like mom said! *smiles*).

· Show a fundamental respect to all creatures of this forest, no matter what path in life they walk.

· Please be kind, gentle, supportive, and loving to all your fellow furs. Treat others as you wish to be treated . . . and better.

Speaking To The Forest (Posting Messages On YahooGroups):

All members are encouraged to post topics on all things furry--humor, observations, experiences, special events, etc.--as long as it is free of yiffy, vorish, vulgar, or malicious content (and no spamming please).

Yiff (describing mating, sexual acts, and/or private areas of the body), Vore (describing eating other furs, specifically other members of the list), Flaming (public arguments and verbal attacks on one another), and Vulgarity (harsh language) IS NOT ALLOWED ON THIS LIST (in public). There are plenty of other furry groups where you can do those things freely, but not here. Remember, this is an all-ages forest where we strive to make every beast feel safe and comfortable. That is NOT to say you can not be yourself. If you are a vorephile or like yiffy artwork, you can freely state that. We just do not want detailed descriptions or depictions of these acts on this all-ages list.

Furs are encouraged to respond POSITIVELY to any and all pics, stories, poems, etc. posted on the list. Share what you like about each contribution (even if it is just the generosity of sharing it with everyone in the Furry Forest), either to the entire list or through private emails. It means a lot to all creatures that their contributions are acknowledged and appreciated. Your responses can help build confidence, inspire more artwork and writing, and just make furs feel good! It can be scary to post your creations and words for all to see. A few kind words can mean a lot.

HURTFUL, CRUEL, CRITICAL, JUDGEMENTAL, OR INSENSITIVE POSTS TOWARDS FURS AND THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS WILL NOT BE TOLERATED. If your words or intentions are meant to cause harm, DO NOT POST THEM. If you have an issue with another fur that needs to be addressed, contact the individual or the Furry Forest Guardians IN PRIVATE and tell them how you feel (please, never air your fursonal dirty laundry on the list). Address them calmly, rationally, and gently and try to work things out. Remember, anger breeds anger, but kindness heals. If you need help resolving an issue, please contact the Furry Forest Guardians and we will do whatever we can to help, whether it be just simple advice or acting as the moderator for the two parties. We need all furs to work together to uphold the peaceful, loving nature of this group. Petty quarrels and differences will only turn this into an unpleasant place. We know life, and the Furry Forest, cannot always be perfect. All we ask is that you try your best to heal instead of hurt . . . and to forgive one another when mishaps occur.

CRITICISM. Do not be critical of any creature's art, stories, poems, posts, English skills, beliefs, opinions, or who they are as furs. Pointing out what you feel are someone's "shortcomings", "mistakes", "faults" etc. can only lead to hurt feelings and isn't what furs come here for. Spend your time and effort finding the good in someone and their contributions, and share it with them. Please remember that this is not a list where we teach others to draw and write (unless they ask us to). The Furry Forest is where we celebrate furs and their contributions as they are.

If you're an artist or writer who wants advice, feel free to politely ask for help. Most artists/writers are happy to give constructive feedback and assist you in any way they can. If you are an artist or writer and somefur asks for your advice or opinion, in private or public, please be as gentle as possible in pointing out areas that you feel need improvement.

NO COMPETITION. No comparisons or contests about whose art or writing is "better", or which member of the forest is bigger, fatter, stronger, faster, better-looking, the superior tap dancer, etc. Remember, for every so-called "winner" there are countless "losers" . . . and hurt feelings. No fur here is better or worse than anyone else. We are all equals.

NO POLITICAL or RELIGIOUS DEBATES or PROSELYTIZING (i.e. I'm right; you're wrong)! Please do not comment on, or discuss, religion or politics on the mailing list. Politics and Religion have historically been very sensitive topics where discussions tend to turn into debates (and then wars) that run roughshod over creatures' fursonal beliefs.

We understand that spirituality is a big part of many creatures' lives and we are not saying that anyfur should hide their faith or change who they are. Positive spiritual quotes at the bottom of your posts, wishing someone well, artwork, stories, poems, etc. are welcomed, but remember that not all creatures share your religious beliefs. Respect others' differences and they will respect yours.

Note: Obviously, you are free to express your political and religious beliefs in your art and stories/poetry (art is, after all, a form of fursonal expression). However, if we feel a submission intentionally attacks or harms a specific fur or community, the Furry Forest reserves the right to choose to not display that work.

Multi Replies: When responding to more than 3 posts on the list, please consolidate your replies into one email so we can avoid overflowing each other's mailboxes. (Example: If you wanted to respond to 3 posts that were about artwork, an upcoming con, and fursuits, the title on your reply would read something like "Art/con/fursuits (multi)" and your post would be broken down into 3 sections, one for each topic).

Guidelines For Posting Art/Photos/Writing (Yahoogroups and Furry Forest Website):

No showing or graphically describing reproductive organs, nipples, sexual/vorish acts. Mating and voring can be referred to (writing example: 'That night, the two mates lay together under the starry heavens, sharing each other's warmth.' Or 'The bear saw the pen of fat hogs before him and slowly waddled forward, drooling hungrily. When he had finished his meal . . . etc. Art example: Two furs holding one another close but showing no reproductive organs or nipples. Or, soft vore (non-bloody and taken into the other creature whole), but please refrain from graphic, detailed, or crude descriptions, words, and images.

Please do not include furs in your stories or poems without their consent. Email them and get their okay first.

Ultimately, the final decision on acceptable artwork, writing, photos, and ALL content is left up to the discretion of the moderators.

This is an actively moderated list. Any individual(s) intentionally harming the Furry Forest and its members or violating The Furry Forest Code and its guidelines will be dealt with.

The Furry Forest doesn't belong to any individual; it belongs to everyone who lives here, and we must all work together to make this place what we want it to be.

To sum up. PLAY NICE! *smiles*

If you have any questions or issues that need attention, please contact one of the Furry Forest Guardians and they will help you in any way they can. Our den is always open. *smiles*