It’s just a label that you can pick up and drop off whenever you feel like it’s convenient. The “furry” umbrella is so gigantic that calling yourself a furry doesn’t really mean anything in particular. I think this aspect is rather utilitarian as well, since all the furry subgroups are stronger and more connected under this general identity. It reminds me of how LGBTQIA+ bands together instead of fighting for “gay rights” and “trans rights” individually.

One of the more interesting perks of including yourself in the furry fandom is that everyone is welcome and usually furries are happy to help each other out just for wearing the label. Most furries lean left politically, a vast majority are queer to some degree, and usually they’re quite tech-literate, so there’s a good chance you’ll have good personality compatibility with any given furry. It’s an easy way to make friends, especially in a time when the world is so closed-off and cynical.

It’s worth noting that some people feel like they’re “born furry”, but others pick it up intentionally or just as a passing interest, so don’t be afraid that putting the label on is some sort of commitment or reveals something about you as a person. In practical terms, I would guess you probably have a pretty good idea of what specific corner of the furry fandom interests you, and I would explore more in that direction to see if there’s anything else that you might like.