Worries about the impacts of extended stays at Branford’s Dan Cosgrove Animal Shelter has staff and volunteers on a holiday mission to find forever homes for five dogs and a bunny.

“All of these guys are becoming depressed from shelter life . They really want to be in a home doing fun and normal family things,” said Shelter Director Laura Burban.

The dogs - Turbo , Al Pachino, Parker, Cookie, and Sugar; and Max, a white bunny, all need adoptive homes. The majority of the bunch are nearing a year of life spent in the shelter. Al Pachino and Cookie are both approaching month five.

Turbo, between a year-and-a-half to two-and-a-half years old, is vaccinated, microchipped and altered. Turbo likes other dogs and children he’s met but is a high energy dog, so his best family would include kids 14 and older.

Al Pachino, a 10- to-11-year-old bulldog/pitbull mix, is vaccinated, microchipped , and altered. He underwent a successful medical procedure to remove a cancerous tumor. Due to a weakened leg, long walks are not part of his routine, so Al Pachino would do better in an adult household where he can be cozy and loved.

Parker, a boxer mix of about 3 to 4 years in age, is described as “... a complete love bug! She likes hiking or sitting by your feet. She likes other dogs and children she has met at the shelter.” Parker is vaccinated, altered and microchipped.

Cookie is a beautiful gray nose pitbull. She is 3 to 4 years old, spayed, vaccinated, altered and microchipped. Cookie loves hiking and has been okay with other dogs she’s met.

“She would love a home where her family allows her to decompress because shelter life has been really stressful for her,” said Burban.

Sugar, a beautiful cattle dog mix of between 2 and 3 years old, is vaccinated, altered, and microchipped. The staff notes Sugar has liked other dogs she has met, as well as children she’s met at the shelter, too. Sugar also seems indifferent to cats. She loves to hike and play with squeaky toys.

Max the bunny is about one and a half years old. He was dropped off in a box when his owner no longer wanted him.

“He is so very sweet and just wants a forever home,” said Burban.

Located at 749 East Main Street, Branford’s Dan Cosgrove Animal Shelter is open to the public daily from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Online adoption applications can be accessed here. For more information, visit the shelter’s website or call (203) 315-4125.