I classify them as colors. All colors have shades. Light -> dark -> black. White -> black is basically like a red shade going from white -> pink -> red -> black, and etc.
Furries aren't that bad most of the time. Like every other community, there are toxic and non-toxic people in it. Furries aren't the end of the world and most of them just wanna dress up and be themselves. Let them do what they want. They aren't hurting anyone by dressing up in ears, tails, and a collar. Let them do what they want. Don't judge them and just leave em alone if you don't like it.