Save the Sheep is a drawing-and-skill-based game similar to Protect My Dog, Save the Doge and Save My Pets. Across 90 levels, the player attempts to protect one or more sheep from a hungry, ready-to-rumble wolf or wolves with a limited number of wooden fence posts. When they succeed, they receive coins to purchase different colors and types of sheep.
Although the game starts with the choice of selecting the Play button or the Level Mode button, the latter merely gives the player the ability to select unlocked levels. It doesn't offer a different mode of play. Once the player accesses a level, they're shown a green grass pasture. The game displays the number of available stakes at the top center of the screen.
The player must carefully place each stake in a position around the sheep or wolves. In some cases, they must block one or more bridges or other access points. They might even need to create a corral or pen where a sheep can access a bale of hay while also protected by the fence from a wolf. That said, they can't place stakes in areas of the pasture covered with rocks.
Save The Sheep requires the player to then firmly affix the stakes to the ground by selecting a button marked with a white hammer icon. This step automates the action. The wolf, or wolves, attempts to reach the sheep. If the player wins, they receive a chance to double their coin winnings by viewing an ad video.