At Risk
Joe Jackson
Animal Profile: Joe is a sweet, 80-lb Dane mix who turned 7 in April. He was originally adopted in 2020, but this past fall we received a call from a …
Dog Gone Seattle Rescue • Seattle, WA
Senior dog search
Urgent-need senior dogs
Browse senior dogs from real shelters and rescues — every listing is free and links straight to the adoption source.
Lily's Second Chance is now a Tennessee nonprofit corporation, created in Lily’s memory to help senior shelter dogs get seen, shared, and adopted.
Our mission is simple: no senior dog should spend their final years forgotten in a shelter.
84 senior dogs match your search
84 senior dogs match your search.
Search by name, breed, or state to find the right match.
Filters (active)
At Risk
Nash
PLEASE READ BIO BEFORE EMAILING WITH ANY QUESTIONS AS WE TRY TO INCLUDE ALL INFORMATION THAT IS KNOWN. WE ARE ALL VOLUNTEERS WORKING FULL-TIME JOBS AN…
Lost Angels Animal Rescue, Inc. • Tampa, FL
At Risk
MJ
Meet MJ! He is a 9yr old beagle/terrier mix. He was found as a stray in KY and ended up in a kill shelter...until we rescued him. He seems to get alon…
S&L Animal Rescue, Inc. • Pittstown, NJ
Urgent Need
Jamison
Jamison ---- There’s a photo of Jamison playing with another dog… It’s from years ago. Back when the world felt bigger. Back before days turned into y…
Animal Rescue Fund of MS • Jackson, MS
At Risk
Lady Carpenter
Meet Lady Carpenter On August 3rd, I received a heartbreaking call from a young woman who had been referred to me by our vet’s office. She had just lo…
TLC K9 Rescue • Escondido, CA
At Risk
Oliver
Oliver is a laid-back guy who seems to enjoy the company of other dogs in a calm and gentle way. From our observations, he tends to be a bit timid at …
Dallas Animal Services • Dallas, TX
At Risk
Nell
Nell started out in life as the feral pup of a feral mom. She was rescued at a young age and has been in our care virtually her entire life. She has l…
Bluebonnet Animal Rescue Network • Whitewright, TX
At Risk
Remi
Meet Remi, a 9-year-old sweetheart who somehow manages to be calm, goofy, gentle, and full of joy all at once. Her foster family describes her as trul…
Dallas Pets Alive • Dallas, TX
At Risk
Janet
At 12 years young, Janet has perfected the art of the good life: slow sniffy walks, cozy beds, and staying as close to her favorite human as physicall…
Dallas Pets Alive • Dallas, TX
At Risk
Chewie
Meet CHEWIE THE GREAT! Hi friends! I’m Chewie, but my foster mama calls me “Chewie the Great!” I’m a handsome 7-year-old, 63 lb blue and white Pit Bul…
Passion for Pitties • Chula Vista, CA
At Risk
Darling Dottie
Darling Dottie was found alone in a house after her owner sadly died in the shower. She was on her last day at the shelter when a life-saving foster s…
Pawfect Match Rescue • Holly Springs, NC
Urgent Need
Max
#A5790141 Max is a 10-year-old, 57 lb neutered male Shepherd / Husky mix with a super soft tan and brown coat and the sweetest senior energy. Surrende…
United Hope for Animals • Pasadena, CA
At Risk
Hershal
Hershal has had a pretty rough life..Its clear he was never loved or cared for. We rescued him from certain death when he found himself at a southern …
The Last Resort • Hewitt, NJ
At Risk
Tollie & Walter - Bonded Pair
Backstory for Tollie & Walter Animal Saints Rescue Society was asked to help with an owner surrender involving several "Imperial" Shih Tzu. Their form…
Animal Saints Rescue Society • Fort Montgomery, NY
At Risk
Buffy
Buffy is a 13-year-old Shih Tzu with the heart of a teddy bear and the soul of a professional napper. Buffy came to us in 2023 after her beloved owner…
For Pet's Sake Rescue • Long Beach, MS
Urgent Need
Bluey (8yo, 69lbs)
FYI... the next FOUR adoptions are sponsored by ZEIGLER & ZIEGLER LAW FIRM of Hinton, WV! Meet BLUEY, a handsome pittie mix with a heart as big as his…
Animal Control and Welfare Project, Inc • Hinton, WV
At Risk
Sadie
Sadie the SweetPea is full of love and wants to tell you her story After surviving years of neglect, look at her smile! She was rescued in Georgia whe…
PA Caring for K-9's • New Oxford, PA
At Risk
Boogie
Meet Boogie! A gentle almost nine-year-old, 80-pound Shepherd/Rottweiler mix currently living in Redwood City, CA, whose journey is nothing short of m…
Joyful Pets Animal Rescue • Amherst, MA
Showing 18 of 84 dogs.
Our story
It started with one dog named Lily.
Lily was gray around the muzzle and easy to walk past — one more older dog in a crowded shelter. Someone almost did. Instead, she got a second chance, and she gave seven beautiful years of love in return. This whole project exists so more dogs like her get noticed before it’s too late.
“Senior dogs are the last to be noticed, and the first to run out of time.”
Why senior dogs
Old doesn’t mean over.
The very things people fear about older dogs are the best reasons to choose one.
Already trained
Most senior dogs are house-trained and long past the chewing, biting puppy stage. You skip the hardest part.
Calm company
Older dogs are mellow and easygoing — happy with a warm bed, gentle walks, and your company on the couch.
What you see is what you get
Their size, coat, and personality are already settled. No guessing how a puppy will grow up.
The most grateful love
A dog given a home late in life seems to know it. The love you get back is something you don’t forget.
Find a senior dog by state
Browse senior dogs by state
Resources
Caring for a senior dog
From vet-cost help to mobility, diet, and hospice support, our directory points you to organizations that help senior dogs and the people who love them.
Support the mission
Help a senior pet get a second chance
Your support helps senior dogs be seen and shared, connects people with shelter and rescue adoption listings, and helps with care when resources and partners make that possible.
Honor a dog you loved
Share a tribute to a senior dog who left pawprints on your heart. Their story helps remind the world why older dogs matter.
Visit the memorial wallLeave a message of support
Add a kind word for the senior dogs still waiting — and for the people who open their homes to them. A little encouragement goes a long way.
Sign the message wallLooking for good news? Read senior dog happy endings.
Senior dog adoption, answered
Where can I adopt a senior dog near me?
Senior dogs are listed for adoption by shelters and rescues nationwide. Lily's Second Chance gathers their adoptable senior dogs — age 7 and older — into one free, searchable place, with dogs currently listed in 48 states: search by state, city, or breed, open a dog's profile, then apply directly with the shelter or rescue caring for them.
Why adopt a senior dog instead of a puppy?
Senior dogs are usually house-trained, past the chewing and teething stage, and settled in temperament, so what you see is what you get. They bond quickly and ask for little beyond a calm home — yet they wait far longer than puppies to be adopted, which is exactly why they need people looking for them.
What should I know before adopting a senior dog?
Ask the shelter about the dog's health history, energy level, and any age-related needs such as a special diet or joint support — most are minor and manageable. Because a senior dog is already grown, you'll know their size and personality up front, which makes the first weeks far easier than raising a puppy.
What questions should I ask a shelter before adopting an older dog?
It helps to ask about the dog's known history, their usual energy level, whether they're house-trained, and any age-related care they may need. The shelter or rescue named on that dog's profile is the one caring for them, so they can answer these for the specific dog and tell you how their adoption process works.
How can I help an older dog settle into a new home?
A calm, steady routine goes a long way: a comfortable spot to rest, regular walks and meals, and a little patience through the first adjustment period. Many older dogs are shy for the first days, then relax as they learn they're safe. Keeping early visits and changes gentle helps them feel at home sooner.
Can older dogs still learn and adjust to a new family?
Yes. Many older dogs adjust well to a new family and may already know basic commands and house manners, which can make the first weeks easier. Each dog is an individual, so the shelter or rescue caring for them can describe how that particular dog tends to learn and settle.
Want to help more senior dogs get seen?
Follow Lily’s Second Chance on Facebook for adoptable seniors, rescue stories, and updates from Lily’s mission — and help more older dogs get noticed before they run out of time.
Follow Lily’s Second Chance on Facebook (opens in a new tab)Senior dog adoption — FAQ
What is Lily's Second Chance?
Lily's Second Chance is a Tennessee nonprofit corporation that helps senior shelter dogs — age 7 and older — get seen, shared, and adopted. It gathers adoptable senior dogs from shelters and rescues across the United States into one free, searchable directory, and was created in memory of Lily, a senior dog adopted at 10 who gave seven years of love.
Is Lily's Second Chance a shelter or a rescue?
No. Lily's Second Chance is not a shelter, rescue, or breeder and does not house, adopt out, or sell dogs itself. It is a free directory that gathers adoptable senior dogs from shelters and rescues so they're easier to find, linking each dog back to the organization that actually cares for them.
Is Lily's Second Chance a nonprofit organization?
Yes. Lily's Second Chance is a Tennessee nonprofit corporation and an IRS-recognized 501(c)(3) private foundation (EIN 42-3599446). The directory is completely free — no charge to adopters, and no charge for shelters or rescues to have their senior dogs listed. Donations from supporters keep it running and are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law.
What counts as a senior dog?
Most shelters and vets consider a dog "senior" around age 7, though large breeds often age sooner and small breeds a little later. Every dog listed here is 7 years or older.
How do I adopt a dog I find here?
Open the dog's profile to see which shelter or rescue is caring for them, then use the adoption link or contact details on that profile to apply directly with the organization. Lily's Second Chance gathers senior dogs in one place so they're easier to find — the adoption itself always happens through the local shelter or rescue.
Does it cost anything to use Lily's Second Chance?
No. Searching and browsing is completely free, and shelters and rescues are never charged to have their senior dogs listed. Adoption fees, when they apply, are set by the individual shelter or rescue — not by Lily's Second Chance.
How often are new senior dogs added?
Listings refresh throughout the day as shelters and rescues update their own systems. Always confirm a dog's availability with the shelter or rescue before making plans.
Why are senior dogs harder to get adopted?
Senior dogs are often overlooked in shelters because many people assume older dogs are less energetic, harder to train, or have more health problems. In reality, most senior dogs are house-trained, calmer, and bond very quickly — but they still wait two to four times longer than puppies to be adopted, which is why they need more visibility.
What states does Lily’s Second Chance cover?
Lily's Second Chance gathers adoptable senior dogs from shelters and rescues across the United States. Active coverage changes with the source listings available at the time. Use the state browse page or the search to see which states have active listings right now.
Can I foster a senior dog instead of adopting?
Yes. Many shelters and rescues listed on Lily's Second Chance offer foster programs, sometimes with a foster-to-adopt path. Fostering is one of the most impactful things you can do for a senior dog — it gets them out of a shelter kennel and into a calm home, dramatically raising their odds of adoption. Ask the organization on any dog's profile whether fostering is available.
How much does it cost to adopt a senior dog?
Adoption fees vary by shelter and rescue, but senior dogs are often discounted or fee-waived because they wait the longest. Many organizations also cover initial vet care before adoption. Open any dog's profile to find the shelter or rescue caring for them, and ask directly for their current fee and what it includes.
Old dogs aren’t out of time.
They’re just waiting for someone to see them — the way someone once saw Lily. Find a senior dog to love, or get an alert the moment new ones are listed.