Animal lovers marched in Wantagh Saturday to protest the closing of the Bideawee Pet Adoption Center.

Nearly a century after it first opened its door, the center is scheduled to close next weekend due to financial woes. However, volunteers and supporters say they are working to keep the shelter open.

"We think we need more time to see if we can have fundraising to keep it open," says Barbara Petito, of Seaford.

In the meantime, Bideawee employees are trying to find homes for about 70 cats and dogs that are currently living at the shelter.

Protesters say the local community needs the shelter especially now, when a growing number of people cannot afford to have pets.

Some programs will continue to run at the Wantagh location even after the adoption center closes. Animals that are not adopted by next weekend will be transferred to Bideawee's shelters in Westhampton and Manhattan.