Spectators know Anthrocon for the colorful characters it brings to Downtown Pittsburgh, but they might not know how much those furry friends actually help the city.

"The relationship we have with Pittsburgh is beyond your standard business relationship," said Anthrocon chairman Samuel Conway. "There's a genuine affection on both sides for the city, its businesses, its people, and then for Anthrocon. We have been embraced. We've become a city institution, whether we wanted to or not."

This year, the convention is sponsoring free HIV testing at Planned Parenthood and at the convention center as well as raising money for a local charity. In addition, organizers worked with local businesses to establish fursuit-friendly cruises on the Gateway Clipper and coupons for meals at Downtown restaurants. The convention brings millions of dollars to the local economy each year.

Organizers are able to pursue public outreach efforts partly thanks to some "supersponsors" who help foot part of the convention bill.

The supersponsor luncheon at Anthrocon thanks donors who collectively funded the convention's space at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center.

"Many conventions have different sponsorship levels, exactly the same as public television does," Conway said. "The supersponsors pay, I believe $200 above and beyond the regular membership fee. Now, the nice thing is, just like your public television sponsors, they know full well they're not getting a $200 Versace bag. They know they're doing it to help the convention."

Supersponsor funds fully covered the rental fees for the David L. Lawrence Convention Center. As a thank you, they received a luncheon with speakers including this year's guest of honor: voice actor Charlie Adler.

"Most people aren't seeing some the other pieces of the convention that are staples for us, and we know they exist, we just don't talk about them," said board member John Cole. "It's special for those that are doing it."

MORE: Here's why the world's largest furry convention is in Pittsburgh

Every year since Anthrocon's inception, the convention has raised money for a local charity through raffles, auctions and events. Since coming to Pittsburgh in 2006, they have raised more than $200,000. Charity director Brian Harris said they look for animal-oriented charities no more than 60 miles from the city so they can bring animals to the convention. They have a running list of options, but also receive requests from interested nonprofits.

That is exactly what Karen Phillips, founder of Hope Haven Farm Sanctuary, did to earn the honor this year.

"We started in 2013," she said. "I had been applying to Anthrocon since I started Hope Haven. It was amazing to get that response, to get an acceptance after several years where they selected other charities. It was awesome. I freaked out."

Phillips said all animal shelters cost a lot to run, but farm sanctuaries are in a different class because of the particular needs of their animals. Food and space requirements are much different for horses than cats, for example.

She plans to use the money on a pond for the sanctuary's waterfowl, more fencing and a horse trailer, as well as pack some away in a savings account to help in the future.

Karen Phillips of Hope Haven Farm Sanctuary, this year's Anthrocon charity, poses with her dog and a guest.

"We've already raised more money than probably Hope Haven has ever raised since it opened," she said. "It's hard. We don't have any other farm sanctuaries in Pittsburgh. They're still kind of up-and-coming, a lot of people don't know what they are."

That exposure is another benefit of having space at Anthrocon. Phillips brought her dog, two turkeys and a chicken to draw in visitors and explain the process of saving farm animals from neglect, abandonment and slaughter. And at the world's largest furry convention, her message is sure to resonate with at least some guests.

Attendance numbers are not yet available for the 2017 convention, but 7,308 people came to Anthrocon last year.

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