Furries and animals are not the only ones that use the term mate. Normal people can use it if you don't want to say husband or wife and it's also present in terms like soul-mate.
"If all mankind minus one, were of one opinion, and only one person were of the contrary opinion, mankind would be no more justified in silencing that one person, than he, if he had the power, would be justified in silencing mankind."
~John Stuart Mill~
Furries and animals are not the only ones that use the term mate. Normal people can use it if you don't want to say husband or wife and it's also present in terms like soul-mate.
"If all mankind minus one, were of one opinion, and only one person were of the contrary opinion, mankind would be no more justified in silencing that one person, than he, if he had the power, would be justified in silencing mankind."
~John Stuart Mill~