I've been drawing anthro characters since fifth grade or so, and most people who looked in my sketchbook and saw them were usually just like "oh, that's interesting/neat/etc." I don't think furries were really well know where I grew up ^^'
But nowadays and starting college there will probably be more people who know about it. I don't really mind if others know unless they're really negative or only believe in stereotypes. For me also it's very much a creative activity, and a little bit of community as well.