Attendee Policies

Welcome to the Anthro SoCal attendee policies page. This is the place for all the rules and expectations for attending the convention, including conduct, safety, harassment, props, and related policies. Whenever this page is updated, the new date and time will be posted so attendees can see what changed.

Who We Are

Anthro SoCal (ASC) is operated by Furry Universal Representation for Education Arts and Literature (F.U.R.E.A.L.), a California-registered non-profit organization. In this document, “ASC” means Anthro SoCal, operated by F.U.R.E.A.L.

ASC aims to provide a fun, welcoming, and safe space for the furry community and its friends. Programming includes mostly general audience events, some youth-friendly programming, and a smaller number of 18+ events that require ID. About 95% of ASC events are general audience.

By attending ASC, each attendee agrees to follow these policies.

Membership and Badges

Anthro SoCal is a private event held at the Ontario Convention Center (OCC). The convention is general audience, but membership is required to attend.

Membership may be obtained by:

• Pre-registering on the ASC registration site.
• Registering in person at the OCC during the convention.

Once registration is completed and a badge is issued, the registered person is considered an attendee of ASC.

Badge rules:

• Each badge is assigned to one attendee and may only be used by that attendee.
• Badge sharing is not permitted and may result in badge revocation.
• Lost badges should be reported to Registration as soon as possible for deactivation and replacement.
• Tampering with, duplicating, modifying, or imitating badge security features may result in removal from the convention center and revocation of any badges issued.

Registration and Payment

Membership is required to attend ASC and may be purchased online or on-site. Prices are generally lower earlier in the year and highest on-site during the convention, and discounted pricing only applies if payment is completed during the advertised discount period.

Accepted payment methods:

• Major credit cards online.
• Major credit cards & cash are accepted on-site.
• Other forms of payment are not accepted.

Identification requirements:

• The legal name on the registration must match the attendee’s legal name on a valid government-issued photo ID at check-in.
• Attendees ages 16-18 may use a school-issued photo ID.

Attendees ages 16-18 may attend on their own if they bring a notarized Parental Consent for Minor’s Attendance form.

Minors

All attendees under age 18 will be issued a minor badge. Minors who are 15-13 years of age may register for a discounted weekend rate of $45 as long as they are accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. Minors who are 12 years of age or younger may register for a discounted weekend rate of $5 as long as they are accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. Note that a parent or guardian must pay for registration and attend with you and escort you at all times in convention spaces.

Attendees Ages 16 or 17

If the attendee is age 16 or 17 on or before September 18, 2026:

• Registration and payment may be completed online.
• The attendee must either bring a notarized “Parental Permission For Minor To Attend Anthro SoCal” form to Registration, or have a parent or guardian appear in person with their valid government-issued ID and complete the form to be witnessed by ASC Staff.
• If you arrive without a notarized form and without a parent or guardian to complete the form in person, you will be denied attendance.

Attendees Age 15 or Younger

If the attendee is age 15 or younger on or before September 18, 2026:

• Registration must be completed on-site by the attendee’s parent or legal guardian with their valid government-issued ID.
• Parents and guardians may receive discounted pricing, if they register themselves online in advance.

Parents and guardians must:

• Pay for the minor’s registration.
• Attend the convention and accompany the minor at all times in convention spaces.

Refunds and Rollovers

Refunds

Refund requests are accepted until August 14, 2026. After that date, refunds will not be processed.

Refund and rollover requests must be submitted through the ASC contact page. Requests sent through Twitter, Telegram, or other private messaging platforms will not be processed.

Please include:

• Legal name.
• Badge name.
• Email address used to register.

Requests must come from the same email address used during registration, or processing may be delayed.

If one person purchases registration for another person:

• The registration belongs to the registered attendee.
• The registered attendee decides whether to request a refund or transfer, subject to these rules. ASC will attempt to issue refunds using the original payment method.

ASC will attempt to issue refunds using the original payment method.

Rollovers

If an attendee cannot attend after the refund deadline, the attendee may request that the registration be rolled over to the following year.

Rollovers:

• Have no cash value.
• Cannot be refunded.
• Apply only to the following convention.
• Are forfeited if not used at the following convention

Requests to defer registration must be received by midnight (GMT-8) on September 17, 2026. After that date, rollover requests may not be granted.

Safety and Security

ASC Safety Team (Animal Control) works with the Ontario Convention Center (OCC) Staff and the Ontario Police Department (OPD) to support attendee safety. Entry to the OCC includes security screening, and in higher-risk situations that screening may include magnetometers, wands, bag checks, or similar measures.

Animal Control and OCC staff members handle wristbands, prop checks, line management, and related convention safety duties.

By attending ASC, each attendee agrees:

• Not to create disruptive, hazardous, or harmful situations.
• Not to act violently toward attendees, ASC Staff, OCC Staff, property, or animals.

If ASC Staff, ASC Animal Control members, OCC Staff, OCC Security, or OPD instructs an attendee to stop a behavior, the attendee must stop immediately. Concerns about that instruction may be raised later with the Convention Chair or Vice-Chair, but the attendee must comply at the time of the request.

Violations, repeated issues, or intentional harm to people or property may result in badge removal, membership revocation, and removal from the convention for the remainder of the event.

Weapons

Weapons are not allowed at ASC or inside the OCC. This includes, but is not limited to:

• Items that shoot projectiles, including nerf guns, silly string, water guns, bows and arrows, slingshots, mace, and any functional weapons or firearms.
• Live steel or metal pointed objects, whether blunt or sharpened, including swords, daggers, and knives.

If an item looks like a weapon or can reasonably be mistaken for a weapon, do not bring it to ASC.

Props

Props may be permitted on a case-by-case basis with approval and peace-bonding by ASC Staff. Examples of props that may be allowed include bows without arrows, light sabers used only for performances, non-functioning replicas, and other costume props.

Approved props must be checked and peace-bonded by ASC Staff so it is clear they have been approved. Questions about props may be sent to info@anthrosocal.org.

Personal Conduct

ASC wants attendees to have fun while keeping convention spaces safe and respectful. The following conduct is prohibited in convention spaces, including hotel areas:

• Fighting, roughhousing, vandalism, threats, or abusive language.
• Hate speech, including offensive clothing or accessories.
• Sleeping on OCC property, including parking lots; attendees found sleeping there will be asked to leave.
• Leaving trash on tables or floors; attendees are expected to use appropriate waste and recycling receptacles and clean up after themselves.
• Obstructing hallways, elevators, doors, or public access is not permitted
• Attempting to enter staff-only, employee-only, service elevator, or other off-limits areas of the OCC or partner hotels.
• Impersonating ASC Staff, OCC Staff, OCC Security, or OPD, which may lead to badge removal and possible legal consequences.

Knowingly helping a person who is banned from ASC enter or attend convention spaces will result in permanent loss of ASC membership privileges.

Any attendee found engaging in activity that violates local, state, or federal law may have membership revoked and may be referred to law enforcement.

Harassment and Assault

“No” means no, and “stop” means stop. If someone tells an attendee to leave them alone, go away, or stop a behavior, that attendee must stop immediately. If someone is not respecting those boundaries, attendees should go to Con-Ops or speak with a member of the ASC Safety Team.

ASC has a zero-tolerance policy for harassment and assault in convention spaces and hotel spaces. Harassment includes, but is not limited to:

• Unwanted physical contact.
• Following someone without a legitimate reason.
• Threatening violence.
• Provoking or antagonizing another person or animal.

Violations may result in badge removal, membership revocation, and referral to law enforcement, depending on the situation.

Attendees who feel they are being harassed should immediately find ASC Staff or go to Con-Ops.

Costume Is Not Consent

Wearing a fursuit or other costume does not give anyone permission to make inappropriate or suggestive comments or gestures. ASC welcomes cosplay, fursuits, mascots, original characters, and other costumes.

Harassment is not allowed regardless of what someone is wearing. If a costume is considered offensive, ASC leadership may require the wearer to leave convention spaces, and ASC has the final say on what is considered offensive.

Drones

Drones are not allowed in or around OCC property for safety reasons. Licensed professionals appointed by ASC may operate drones to record convention events only with prior approval from ASC leadership and the OCC.

Pets and Service Animals

Pets are not allowed in the Ontario Convention Center. Each hotel has its own pet policy, and attendees should check with their specific hotel. Service animals are welcome in the OCC and in all hotels.

The OCC permits only:

• Humans.
• Canine service animals.
• Miniature horse service animals.

Emotional support animals are not considered service animals under this policy and will not be admitted into the OCC.

Public Displays of Affection

Please use common sense and courtesy in shared spaces at Anthro SoCal. Light public displays of affection, such as brief kissing or holding hands, are allowed regardless of orientation. Making out, groping, and nudity are not allowed in public or convention spaces.

If ASC Staff or OCC Staff instructs an attendee to stop inappropriate behavior, the attendee must comply.

Smoking and Vaping

The Ontario Convention Center and partner hotels are smoke-free indoors, including vaping. Some venues may have designated smoking areas, and attendees are responsible for using those areas.

When smoking outside, attendees must stay at least 50 feet from any venue entrance.

Illegal Substances

Selling or buying controlled substances is strictly prohibited at Anthro SoCal. Anyone using a controlled substance must have a valid prescription or permit.

Attendees found selling, buying, or using illegal substances in any convention space, including hotels, may have membership revoked and may be referred to the authorities.

Adult-use cannabis: Cannabis and associated products may not be used, smoked, eaten, or vaped in public places and may not be brought onto OCC property.

Buying and Selling

Anthro SoCal has designated areas, such as the Dealers’ Room, where merchandise and services may be sold. Anyone selling goods or services for payment must be registered with ASC in advance as a seller.

ASC takes its tax and reporting obligations seriously. Anyone selling or soliciting in convention spaces or hotels without authorization may have their badge revoked.

Photography and Video

Attendees are welcome to take photos and record memories in common areas. By attending ASC, each attendee understands that they may be photographed or recorded in those spaces.

However:

• Attendees may not follow and record another person without that person’s consent.
• If someone says “no” or “stop,” recording or photography must stop immediately.
• Ignoring a “no” or “stop” may be treated as a violation of the harassment and assault policy.

Recording any 18+ panel or area is strictly prohibited, including recording attendees entering or leaving those spaces. If there is any doubt about whether recording is appropriate, do not record.

Photography or recording for sale or press publication is not allowed unless F.U.R.E.A.L. grants prior approval. Media and press registration must be completed in advance and is not available on-site.

Content creators whose goal is to expose, mock, or intentionally harm the furry community are not allowed. This includes prank channels and hostile press or media.

ASC plans to livestream parts of the convention using a professional team appointed by ASC. Recording will take place only in open areas and certain Main Events panels, with the focus on participants rather than the general audience.

Termination and Revocation of Membership

ASC Staff and the ASC Safety Team enforce these policies. Membership badges remain the property of ASC and must be shown or surrendered if requested by ASC Staff. Concerns about staff action may be brought to the ASC Safety Head or the ASC Executive on Duty.

ASC wants everyone to enjoy the convention, and revoking membership is a last resort. If membership is revoked:

• The attendee must leave the convention.
• The attendee may not buy or wear another badge to re-enter.
• Attempting to return may lead to legal consequences, including trespass from the property.

Questions about these policies may be sent to info@anthrosocal.org or submitted through the contact form. These policies are intended to help keep ASC safe, welcoming, and clear for everyone attending.

Thanks, and we look forward to seeing everyone at Anthro SoCal.