Syrian refugees in Canada got housed in same hotel as VancouFur furry convention and the children loved it

‘ VancouFur wants to ensure that each and every one of the refugees (and attendees) feels welcome and safe as this is likely to be a major shock to them’

Syrian refugees in Canada have been personally welcomed into the country at Vancouver airport by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, they have been welcomed by children in a video saying “see you in school,” and now they have been welcomed by Furries.

The fifth annual VancouFur convention, in which people dress up as fictional anthropomorphic animal characters with human personalities and characteristics, was held at the same hotel where a number of Syrian refugees are currently being housed.

A message was given to all attendees at the convention that the hotel had been chosen as one of the temporary housing locations for the Syrian refugees in Canada, and that “a major concern that VancouFur has is ensuring that each and every one of the refugees (and attendees) feels welcome and safe and the fact that this is likely to be a major shock to them”.

“Keep in mind that they likely will not want to interact with you and consent is important to everyone,” the message added.

But luckily for everyone involved, the refugees – especially the children – loved it.

Photos from the event show Syrian children playing with the furries or posing for pictures with them.

Mike Schmidt, who attended VancouFur wrote on Vancity Buzz: “One of the many highlights for me was when the new group of Syrian refugee children came in and got to interact with us. To them we were cartoons to come to life, to us [it] was a means to display our acting performance to a very appreciative audience.

“Win win all round.”