When you sponsor an animal for a year you make a HUGE difference in their life. With your donation you will be helping Clifford with all of his care, from routine vet visits to daily feedings.

With your yearly sponsorship (payments recurring monthly) you will receive quarterly updates and pictures of your resident in your email, your name on the IFS website, plus a plaque on the visitor center wall acknowledging your sponsorship. Also, receive a free pass for all Open Barn Days! Come out and meet the animals you’ve sponsored—so they can thank you themselves! This is the gift that keeps on giving, for you and for Clifford.

For your convenience, this sponsorship will automatically renew each year until you choose to discontinue sponsor support.

Clifford was born at a farm just down the road from our sanctuary. Clifford and his best friend, Grizzly, weren’t growing and the farmer couldn’t sell them as a result. Knowing that we help farmed animals in need, they drove the boys over and dopped them off. We quickly recognized that Clifford wasn’t feeling well, so we rush the deeply bonded pair to the hospital, Grizzly dutifully tagging along as emotional support.

While we knew Clifford needed medical attention, we were not prepared to learn that he was gravely ill. We were heartbroken by the news that Clifford had been fighting pneumonia for months without treatment and was losing his battle against the illness. Clifford’s condition was further complicated by the fact that he had been “banded” shortly before he was surrendered. Banding is a non-surgical method of castration in which tight bands are used to restrict blood flow to the testicles until they fall from the body. The terrible pain caused by the banding caused Clifford’s immune system to crash and the pneumonia showered infection throughout his body, leaving him totally septic.

We were told that Clifford probably wouldn’t survive the night, so we prepared for the worst—but Clifford surprised everyone and quickly began responding to treatment. Tragically, while Clifford improved, Grizzly suddenly fell ill and passed away. Grizzly’s body had been so overrun with parasites that the necessary deworming treatment sent his organs into shock, and not even emergency surgery could save him. We’re so thankful that Clifford was able to say goodbye to his best friend, but it breaks our hearts that we couldn’t give both boys the life that they deserved.

Clifford is an incredibly dear and cautious little soul. He wasn’t sure where he fit it when he first arrived at the sanctuary, but we love that he’s been adopted by Gennie, one of our senior sheep residents. Clifford is like her little shadow, following her everywhere she goes. Gennie is no stranger to heartache, having said goodbye to her beloved mother, Millie, a year after their rescue. We’re so thankful that this unlikely pair found each other—they needed each other so very much.

NOTE: For sponsorships, please allow up to 3 business days for your sponsorship package to be created with care and delivered to the recipient's email address.