Charlie Chandler has been volunteering at Town Lake Animal Center for 13 months. She said working with animals is uplifting.

“It's about saving dog lives and animal lives. They deserve a chance at happiness,” said Chandler.

Chandler would like to save more dogs and cats from being euthanized. She believes that could be in jeopardy if the city cuts about $200,000 from the free spay and neuter services program in Austin.

“I think it's going to be a bad idea because you're going to have a lot more dogs not spayed and neutered. We know that means, making more puppies and more puppies ending up here,” she said.

The City of Austin is facing a $30-45 million budget shortfall for 2010, and all departments have been asked to make cuts.

But Ryan Clinton, founder of the animal advocacy organization FixAustin.org, said cutting funding will cost more money in the long run.

“The more animals that come into the shelter, unfortunately the more animals that will be killed,” he said.

Last month the city hosted Town Hall meetings to get citizen input. Getting rid of the program didn't sit well with participants. A majority said they wanted the free pet sterilization program to be saved.

Austin City Council Member Laura Morrison agreed.

“The more we invest in it, the more we save. I think it's a really good idea, and we should protect the program,” Morrison said.

And protecting the program is what animal advocacy groups want.

“What we’re saying is that if the city is going to make cuts to animal welfare, it should do so in ways that make sense, not in ways that don't make sense,” said Clinton.

As for Charlie Chandler, she hopes more people will consider adopting.

City Manager Marc Ott will make a final budget recommendation to Council July 22nd.