Q COSTARICA — The therian trend continues to generate reactions worldwide, and Costa Rica is no exception: one Costa Rican business has already taken a proactive measure across all its locations.
Perro Café, a pet supply store, announced on its social media that it reserves the right of admission and will prohibit the entry of therians into its five locations, citing security concerns over the use of masks and “inappropriate behavior”.
“We’ve received several messages asking if we sell products for therians, so we’re taking this into account,” they posted on their social media, along with a photo that reads: “Therians are not allowed.”
The post was flooded with comments in support of the business.
After an inquiry via WhatsApp, the business explained: “For security reasons, people wearing masks or exhibiting inappropriate behavior are not allowed entry.”
What is a therian?
A therian is a person who identifies as a non-human animal, either wholly or partially, and the term has become a trending topic in recent days, especially in Uruguay and Argentina.
This doesn’t mean that these individuals believe they have a physical animal body, but rather that their emotional, mental, or spiritual identity is linked to a specific animal species. That’s why it’s very common to see people wearing masks and tails, moving around on all fours in plazas and parks.
Some identify with a wolf, a fox, a cat, or a bird, among other species. They record themselves and post their videos, which go viral on TikTok, Instagram, and other social media platforms.
The term “therian” derives from “therianthropy,” which in Greek means “beast” and “human being.”