Another day, another week, another month has passed for Junior, Specks, Nico, Sadie, and Lila. The friendly five are long-term Daniel P. Cosgrove Animal Shelter rescue pups seeking forever homes.

The busy shelter supports an average of 700 animals annually, with a high rate of speedy adoptions. It’s unusual for animals linger at the site, which is why Cosgrove Shelter Director Laura Burban hopes to soon find these five pups adoptive, loving families.

Of course, they’re in good hands at the newly renovated and expanded, state-of-the-art Branford municipal shelter, which also has the goal of become the country’s first net zero municipal animal shelter. The shelter also serves the Town of North Branford through a municipal use agreement.

Unlike the majority of municipal shelters across the country, Cosgrove is a no-kill municipal animal shelter. That may be a particular boon to Junior, a 10-month-old Pit/black Labrador mix, Burban noted.

“Black dogs are the last to be adopted and first to be euthanized -- not here; but across the U.S. in shelters,” said Burban.

In his time at the shelter, Junior, a “higher energy” neutered male of about 40 to 50 pounds, has shown he loves to play with balls and hike, according to the shelter assessment. He’s liked all the dogs, cats and kids he’s met.

Families looking for dogs who love to socialize will love Specks. The 1-to-2-year-old Cattle Dog/American Bulldog mix, a neutered male of about 50 pounds, has a medium energy level and is outgoing. He loves to go hiking and play in doggy play groups, according to the shelter staff assessment. Specks has also liked all of the dogs, cats and kids he’s met at the shelter.

Another personable pup awaiting his new family is Nico, a 2-to-4-year-old Egyptian Pharaoh Dog/Pit/Vizsla mix. The shelter staff has found Nico’s a champ at doggy play groups and eating ice cream. This neutered male has liked all of the dogs, cats and kids he’s met at the shelter. Rated a lower-to-medium energy dog, Nico is about 40 to 45 pounds.

Despite dealing with deafness, Lila, a 7-to-8-year-old Great Dane mix, also has liked all of the dogs, cats and kids she’s met during her time at the shelter. She’s a lower-energy dog and weighs about 45-to-50 pounds. Having just undergone surgery to remove mammary cancer, Lila’s also benefited from Cosgrove’s well-known mission to provide critical medical care to animals in need. Funding from community donation drives, fundraising programs, individual contributions and other ongoing shelter efforts assist in the mission.

Fifth and finally, Sadie is seeking her new adoptive family. The shelter staff has found this 1-to-2-year-old Pit/Boxer mix loves to play with toys and take trips to Agway in North Branford. A lower-to-medium energy pup weighing in at about 45 pounds, Sadie’s shown she is, “...dog selective, but once she likes certain dogs, they are best friends!” according to staff.

Burban welcomes prospective adoptive families and individuals to contact the shelter to learn more about these special pups. All dogs are altered, heartworm tested, microchipped, vaccinated and have had a wellness check-up.

“These long-term dog residents really need a forever home,” said Burban.

To learn more about any of these dogs, call 203-315-4125 or email Laura Burban at lburban@branford-ct.gov