An animal rescue shelter in Derbyshire faces closure if it cannot convince the city council to grant retrospective planning permission.
The Second Chance shelter in Chellaston has been open for two years and has rehomed 900 dogs in the past year.
It faces closure because it does not have proper planning papers.
Derby City Council said the centre was located in a residential area and the shelter should not have been started without permission in the first place.
Supporters held a demonstration at the city council house ahead of a meeting on Thursday afternoon, Second Chance manager Jo Fairbrother said.
Ms Fairbrother said 40 dog owners had agreed to bring their pets to the protest.
She said the centre moved into its new location more than two years ago and she was approached by a council official about applying for a "change of use" permission.
The paperwork was submitted more than 18 months ago, but a final decision has still not been made, she said.
Ms Fairbrother said she would fight to keep the shelter open but promised that all the dogs at her centre would be found homes if it was forced to close.
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