Tazfurs Code of Conduct

1.1 Be kind. Abuse or harassment of any kind, whether in person or online, will not be tolerated. Defamation, doxxing, “outing”, racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, ableism, bigotry, religious intolerance, and the use of slurs are grounds for immediate and permanent removal.

1.2 Nazism, religious extremism, fascism, paedophilia, zoophilia and other ideologies which promote hatred or harm are also not tolerated and anyone identifying with or promoting these will be removed and reported to the authorities if appropriate.

1.3 Respect everyone’s identities by using their preferred pronouns and names. Anti-furry and anti-nonhuman/anti-therian sentiments are not allowed. Respect people’s decision to be religious or non-religious.

1.4 Discussing important and potentially controversial issues is allowed, however it must be done in a calm and respectful manner. Moderators and administrators reserve the right to end discussion of said topics at their discretion if things get heated or disrespectful.

1.5 Don’t be elitist. Not everyone can afford a fursuit or artwork, or to take time off work for meets or conventions, and there is no shame in that. Tazfurs welcomes and supports furries from all walks of life. Ownership of fursuits and artwork, and attending meets and conventions, have never been prerequisites for entry to the furry fandom and will never be requirements to join or participate in Tazfurs.

1.6 It is normal and expected that not everyone will get along with everyone and that not every member will be friends with every other member. Please respect personal boundaries set by other members and do not be upset if a particular member does not wish to associate with you. Grievances from outside Tazfurs are not to be brought into Tazfurs spaces and Tazfurs staff will not involve themselves in matters that do not directly relate to or occur within Tazfurs spaces unless they have reasonable cause to believe that a member is at risk of injury or death. 

2.1 You must be at least 16 years of age to join the Tazfurs online spaces. This is in compliance with both Australian and international child protection laws. Underage users will be removed.

2.2 While we encourage creators to market their own products and services in Tazfurs spaces, accounts made purely for the purposes of advertising are not allowed. Likewise, accounts made purely for the purpose of spamming or trolling are not allowed.

2.3 AI generated content is not allowed. Tazfurs supports genuine creators and maintains that generative AI is theft.

2.4 Capturing and sharing content from any of the Tazfurs online spaces for the purposes of AI training or commercial interests or with the intent to cause harm to Tazfurs or its members is prohibited and grounds for removal. While we cannot guarantee confidentiality, we do expect members to respect the privacy and safety of others.

2.5 Posting content with the intention of shocking, frightening or triggering users is strictly prohibited. This includes jump scares, phobia triggers and gore.

2.6 Adult material must be kept to our adult spaces in accordance with the aforementioned child protection laws. Posting of adult material outside of these spaces may lead to removal from Tazfurs. Adult content posted in publicly visible bios, statuses or profile pictures is also prohibited.

2.7 Access to our adult spaces is strictly for users 18+ only. Access to these spaces is only available by showing a photo ID with visible date of birth. You may blur out other personal details on the ID, however the photo and date of birth must be clear. Please include in the photo something showing your online handle so we know who to add.

2.8 Photos and videos of real life violence, death, gore and other graphic content are strictly prohibited. Fictionalised graphic content may be allowed on a case by case basis but must be hidden behind a content warning/spoiler warning. Photos and videos of taxidermy are allowed but must be hidden behind a content warning/spoiler warning. If you’re not sure whether it’s safe to post then ask a moderator or admin. 

3.1 Follow the general rules outlined above at all Tazfurs events. Members are expected to treat each other with the same level of respect and dignity in person as they do online.

3.2 Unless specified otherwise in the event title or description, Tazfurs requires all event attendees aged 16 and under to be accompanied by a trusted adult with written permission from a parent or guardian. Members aged 17 may attend without an adult but must have written permission from a parent or guardian.

3.2 Members are responsible for their own safety and that of their personal effects at Tazfurs events. Tazfurs and its staff take no responsibility for any loss, damages or injuries that may occur as a result of attending Tazfurs events. Attendees are encouraged to remain aware of their environment and, if in fursuit, to bring a handler. Tazfurs does not provide fursuit handlers at events.

3.3 Pets are not to be brought to Tazfurs events unless permission is given in the event title or description. Service animals are welcome at Tazfurs events except in cases where the event organiser believes there is reasonable risk to the health and safety of the service animal or other animals or people at the event as outlined in the Discrimination Disability Act (1992) Section s54A Subsection 4b (Amendment Act 2008). Should this exemption apply it will be clearly stated in the event description.

3.4 Fursuits and other costumes do not imply consent. Always ask before touching or photographing someone. Do not touch or move someone’s fursuit or costume or part thereof without permission unless not doing so would cause damage to the suit or costume (e.g. in the event of fire or spillage, or if it is blowing away or getting rained on). Do not post images of members without their consent, regardless of whether or not they are in fursuit or costume. Please endeavour not to photograph fursuiters with their heads and/or other suit parts off.

3.5 Clothing at Tazfurs events must be age appropriate and publicly appropriate. Explicit and offensive prints or slogans on clothing are not allowed. This includes but is not limited to adult content, Nazi, terroristic and zoophilic symbology, slurs, and anything else that violates the general group rules in section 1.

3.6 Fetishwear is not allowed at Tazfurs events unless the event is specifically designated as an 18+ event and is hosted in a private space. Fetish gear includes leashes, latex wear, and anything that could be reasonably intended to have a sexual intent. Harnesses are allowed when worn on fursuits. Collars, ears, and pup hoods are permitted at any time, provided that they do not violate rule 3.5 and that they cannot be reasonably assumed to have a sexual intent.

3.7 Illicit drugs and the sale, soliciting or consumption thereof, is strictly prohibited at all Tazfurs events and will result in a permanent ban and the matter being referred to the appropriate authorities.

3.8 Smoking of tobacco and vaping is permitted by 18+ members in designated smoking areas unless prohibited by the event organiser. In accordance with Australian and Tasmanian law, the sale or provision of vapes, tobacco and associated products to those under the age of 18 is strictly prohibited and will result in a permanent ban and the matter being referred to the appropriate authorities.

3.9 Alcohol is permitted when allowed by Tasmanian and Australian law, subject to the discretion of the event organiser. Alcohol consumption at designated dry events is strictly prohibited as is the supply or consumption of alcohol by persons under the age of 18. Any member who is too drunk or becoming disruptive will be asked to leave the event and repeat offences may result in banning from Tazfurs.

3.10 Weapons, whether real or prop, are strictly prohibited at Tazfurs events. This includes improvised weapons or other objects intended to cause harm or fear. Should these items be found at a meet, the matter will be referred to the authorities and the member will be permanently banned.

4.1 Tazfurs operates on a three strike system. Breaking any of the rules will result in a strike against a member’s account and two strikes will result in a temporary ban, the length to be determined based on the nature of the offence. If the member reoffends after their temporary ban then the ban will be made permanent. Attempting to circumvent or evade a ban will also result in a permanent ban.

4.2 Offences in breach of rules 1.1 and 1.2 and offences which breach Tasmanian or Australian laws are not subject to the three strike system and will automatically result in permanent bans.

4.3 Moderators and administrators exist to make our spaces fun, safe and approachable. They also work on an entirely voluntary basis. Without them there is no Tazfurs, so please respect them and abide by their decisions and requests. If a member disagrees with a decision a moderator or administrator makes then they may privately message another moderator or administrator to discuss it. It is inappropriate to publicly call them out or to argue with them and doing so will result in a strike against a member.

4.4 Minimodding and backseat modding are not allowed. Minimodding is the act of calling out other members on their behaviour or threatening disciplinary or moderator action against them. Backseat modding is telling moderators what to do or how to act.

4.5 Moderators and administrators are held to the same code of conduct as all members and are expected to set an example for other members. Moderators or administrators who breach the code of conduct may be demoted or banned depending on the nature of the offence. If a member has an issue with the conduct of a moderator or administrator they are encouraged to privately message another moderator or administrator so that an investigation can be opened. As representatives of the community, moderators and administrators are also expected to behave properly outside of Tazfurs spaces so actions they take elsewhere may result in their demotion or banning, depending on the nature of the offence.

4.6 We generally will not ban someone based purely on hearsay however we will take eyewitness accounts seriously. Members are encouraged to keep proof of inappropriate or offensive behaviour in the form of screenshots or recordings. Statements from multiple independent witnesses will also be considered as strong evidence.

4.7 We will not ban someone for an honest misunderstanding or genuine mistake. It is deliberate, blatant or consistent disregard for the rules that will lead to disciplinary action.

4.8 If you have been banned and wish to discuss or appeal the ban then please email us at tazfurs@gmail.com. All discussions related to bans will be held in writing for the protection of both staff and the member involved. If the banned member is unable to read or write then the discussion will be had by voice but will be recorded and transcribed.

4.9 For legal and privacy reasons, bans and other disciplinary action will only be discussed with staff, the member affected, and any relevant authorities.