Managing an animal you sponsor

Every animal you sponsor has its own card under Dashboard > Sponsorships > Animals I sponsor. The card shows the caretaker's latest news and is where you change your name on the profile, fix a payment, or stop.

Find your sponsor cards

Open Dashboard, select Sponsorships, then Animals I sponsor. The Sponsorships tab shows up once you sponsor an animal or give a sponsorship as a gift.

Each card names the animal and who cares for it (Cared for by). Under that, one line sums up your plan:

• Steward · $22 a month · next payment and a date. A steward holds one of the paid places in the animal's circle, the small group that shares its care cost.
• Supporter · $25 a month. A supporter gives any amount but doesn't hold a place.
• 12 months · ends and a date. You paid once for a year.
• Gift from a name · ends and a date. Someone gave you the sponsorship.

Below that is the caretaker's latest update, with its photo if it has one. Read update opens the full post. Stewards also see up to three recent Circle note messages, which are short notes the caretaker sends only to the circle. You get each update and note by email too.

Gifts you bought for other people are listed under Gifts you gave on the same page. See Giving a sponsorship as a gift.

Change how your name appears

Stewards are named on the animal's profile. To change how:

1. On the card, select Name on profile.
2. Choose My name and profile, A display name, or Keep me private.
3. For a display name, type it in Display name, such as "The Brooks family".
4. Select Save name.

Keep me private hides your name from the public. The caretaker still knows who you are. Supporters don't have this button, because the profile shows them only as a count.

Fix a failed payment

If a monthly payment doesn't go through, the card says payment needs attention. A notice gives you a date to fix it by, and we email you as well.

1. Select Update payment method.
2. Stripe's secure billing page opens. Update your card there.

You have 7 days, and your sponsorship stays active while the payment is tried again. If it still fails after 7 days, the sponsorship ends.

If you signed in from an email or text link, you may see Confirm it's you first. Select Email me a code, then enter the 6-digit code. To change your card at any other time, use Payment method on the card.

Stop a monthly sponsorship

1. Select Stop on the card.
2. Select Stop on and the date to confirm.

You aren't charged again, and nothing already paid is refunded. Your place stays yours until that date, then opens for someone else. The card now says Stops on and the date. Changed your mind? Select Keep sponsoring on the card before then.

12-month sponsorships don't renew, so they have Leave now instead. See 12-month sponsorships: renewing or continuing monthly.

When a sponsorship ends

Ended sponsorships move to History at the bottom of the page, with a label that says why: Adopted, Released, Moved to another home, Has died, New owner, or Sponsorship ended. Past stewards can still use Name on profile.

Creatures may also ask you to review the sponsorship once it has run for a while or when it ends. See Leaving a review.

What sponsoring doesn't change

The caretaker still runs the animal's care. You can't edit the animal, manage its team, or make care decisions. You see private health or care records only if the caretaker chooses to share them with stewards.

Related information

• Sponsoring an animal
• 12-month sponsorships: renewing or continuing monthly
• When a sponsored animal is adopted, released, moves, or passes away
• Giving a sponsorship as a gift

Updated on: 29/10/2026