10+ years
Baxter
Baxter is a sweet senior boy who joined our rescue after his family of 11 years moved out of the country. At just 4.5 pounds, he is a tiny little guy …
Every Pet's Dream • Santa Clara, CA
Senior dogs in California
Senior dogs for adoption in California
Meet 733 adoptable senior dogs (age 7+) in California. Each one is from a shelter or rescue and ready to give an older dog's quiet, grateful love. Showing 181–210 of 733 below.
Last updated September 24, 2026 at 4:22 PM EDT. Listings refresh throughout the day. Always confirm a dog’s availability with the shelter or rescue before making plans.
Senior dogs — age 7 and up — wait far longer for homes than puppies, even though they're usually already house-trained, past the chewing stage, and happy to nap at your feet. Adopting an older dog in California means you typically know their size, temperament, and energy level from day one: fewer surprises, and a grateful companion who settles in fast. Always confirm availability and adoption requirements directly with the shelter or rescue.
158 shelters and rescues in California currently list senior dogs on Lily's Second Chance.
How adoption works in California
California's listings are numerous and come from a broad mix of municipal shelters, humane societies and rescue groups, with a large share from around San Bernardino, Bakersfield and Riverside. A municipal or county shelter usually lets you walk in during open hours, while rescue groups tend to place dogs from foster homes and begin with an application.
When you find a dog you like, open the profile and reach the organization listed there. You can expect an application or a conversation, a meet and greet, and an adoption fee that the organization sets, often covering spay or neuter and vaccinations. Because listings cluster in a few cities, many groups help arrange transport within the state. The organization on the dog's profile keeps that dog's history, requirements and availability.
Available senior dogs in California
733 senior dogs available in California.
Senior confirmed
Pup Diooghee
Lap dog at heart* Easy walking companion* Sweet and gentlePup Diooghee is a lovable Chihuahua mix who enjoys the simple things in life - leisurely wal…
Friends of the Alameda Animal Shelter • Alameda, CA
Senior confirmed
10+ years
Alice
Alice is a Shepherd Mix, her estimated date of birth is 12/1/11 and she weighs 45 lbs. She is up to date on all of her shots and she is fixed. Alice i…
Baja Dog Rescue • San Diego, CA
10+ years
Willow (Chihuahua)
Meet Willow. Willow is a lively 11 + year-old, 23 lb senior gal chihuahua mix who still has plenty of spark and curiosity. While she seems to be a one…
Second Chance Dog Rescue • San Diego, CA
10+ years
Kona
This sweet, affectionate girl is happiest curled up beside her people and enjoying a cozy nap in her bed. While in a foster care we have learned tha K…
Ventura County Animal Regulation • Camarillo, CA
10+ years
Kyle
Say hello to Kyle! Kyle is an approximately 10-year-old sweetheart with so much love to give. This friendly boy is truly the full package - he's great…
Three Eye Blind Animal Rescue • ROSEVILLE, CA
Senior confirmed
Cooper
Meet Cooper Breed: Black Mouth Carolina Dog Mix Date of Birth: August 1, 2019 Gender: Male (Neutered) Weight: 35 pounds Personality Cooper is a sweet …
Ozzie and Friends Rescue Inc • Inglewood, CA
Senior confirmed
10+ years
Blanche
Blanche may be a 12-year-old, 10-pound senior, but don’t let the dainty frame fool you—she was a bona fide badass in her prime and still carries that …
Mutts in Need • Newport Beach, CA
10+ years
Senior confirmed
Precious
This lovable girl came to Lily ’ s as a stray from Stanislaus. While we don’t know much about her past, it’s clear that Precious knows and loves human…
Lily's Legacy Senior Dog Sanctuary • Petaluma, CA
Senior confirmed
Tony Baloney
Tony Baloney is a lovable goofball who was picked up as a stray in Oakland. Tony is crate trained, house trained, and is a very quick learner. His fos…
Lily's Legacy Senior Dog Sanctuary • Petaluma, CA
10+ years
Nikki (Bonded to Koda)
Nikki and Koda came to us as a bonded pair who ended up in a shelter in SoCal after their owner passed. They had lived on a piece of land in Temecula …
Lily's Legacy Senior Dog Sanctuary • Petaluma, CA
Senior confirmed
10+ years
Leroy Jethro Gibbs
Leroy Jethro Gibbs was Pet of the Week on 08/04/2026* Leroy is a rockstar greeter dog* Leroy knows sit, shake, and spin* Leroy walks well on leash* Le…
Moreno Valley Animal Shelter • Moreno Valley, CA
Senior confirmed
Senior confirmed
CareBear
Meet CareBear! This 8 year old, 38 lb. cattle dog is a fun, energetic girl with a big personality and an even bigger love for playtime! Whether she is…
Second Chance Dog Rescue • San Diego, CA
Senior confirmed
Indy
This is Indy a German Shepherd Mix female about 3 years. Our rescue is trying to find a home for her because she is currently outside in a kennel all …
The Heroic Tail • San Diego, CA
Senior confirmed
Churro
I am SO gentle and have done well meeting kids!
Ventura County Animal Regulation • Camarillo, CA
Senior confirmed
Rex
Meet Rex — The Cuddle King with a Goofy Smile! With his silly ears, gentle heart, and that charming smile, Rex is ready to snuggle his way into your h…
Rescue Ranch • Yreka, CA
Senior confirmed
10+ years
Cookie
Hi my name is Cookie, I came into the shelter in pretty bad shape. The person who found me was kind enough to foster me to help nurse me back to healt…
Chula Vista Animal Care Facility • Chula Vista, CA
Senior confirmed
Senior confirmed
Pickles
Meet Pickles, the 7 year old male herding breed mix. Pickles came to the Shelter after the guardian passed away and the other family members were unab…
Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter • Santa Cruz, CA
Senior confirmed
Panther
Meet Panther, the ultimate couch potato who's friendly, affectionate, and always up for some playtime! This young 8-year-old pup may be a rescue, but …
Mutts in Need • Newport Beach, CA
At Risk
Harley
This happy boy is Harley. He’s 8 years young and approx 35lbs. He has quite the personality and will let you know when he wants affection. He came in …
Mutts in Need • Newport Beach, CA
Senior confirmed
Ravioli
Meet Ravioli! Ravioli is an adorable 8-year-old, 11-pound Chihuahua/Dachshund mix with a gentle nature and a sweet personality. This lovely little gir…
Second Chance Dog Rescue • San Diego, CA
10+ years
Maya
Meet Maya! Maya is an approximately 10–11-year-old small Maltese/Poodle-type mix with a gentle, sweet personality. She was rescued after her previous …
Love All Animals • Dana Point, CA
Senior confirmed
Max Boy
Max Boy is a very caring and empathetic dog who aims to please his owners. He responds well to praise as well as verbal reprimanding. He loves to wres…
Love All Animals • Dana Point, CA
Senior dogs in California by breed
Senior dogs in California by city
Shelters & rescues with senior dogs in California
These organizations currently have at least one adoptable senior dog listed on Lily's Second Chance.
- Ventura County Animal Regulation (opens in a new tab) — Camarillo, California · See Ventura County Animal Regulation’s senior dogs on Lily's Second Chance
- Riverside County Animal Control - Riverside Shelter (opens in a new tab) — Riverside, California · See Riverside County Animal Control - Riverside Shelter’s senior dogs on Lily's Second Chance
- North Central Animal Care and Control (opens in a new tab) — Los Angeles, California · See North Central Animal Care and Control’s senior dogs on Lily's Second Chance
- Rescue Ranch (opens in a new tab) — Yreka, California · See Rescue Ranch’s senior dogs on Lily's Second Chance
- Rocket Dog Rescue (opens in a new tab) — Oakland, California · See Rocket Dog Rescue’s senior dogs on Lily's Second Chance
- Orange County Animal Care Center (opens in a new tab) — Orange, California · See Orange County Animal Care Center’s senior dogs on Lily's Second Chance
- Harbor Animal Care and Control Center (opens in a new tab) — San Pedro, California · See Harbor Animal Care and Control Center’s senior dogs on Lily's Second Chance
- Second Chance Dog Rescue (opens in a new tab) — San Diego, California · See Second Chance Dog Rescue’s senior dogs on Lily's Second Chance
- California Bully Rescue (opens in a new tab) — California, California · See California Bully Rescue’s senior dogs on Lily's Second Chance
- Los Angeles County Animal Control - Carson (opens in a new tab) — Gardena, California · See Los Angeles County Animal Control - Carson’s senior dogs on Lily's Second Chance
- San Bernardino City Animal Control (opens in a new tab) — San Bernardino, California · See San Bernardino City Animal Control’s senior dogs on Lily's Second Chance
- South Los Angeles Animal Care and Control Center (opens in a new tab) — Los Angeles, California · See South Los Angeles Animal Care and Control Center’s senior dogs on Lily's Second Chance
- San José Animal Care Center (opens in a new tab) — San Jose, California · See San José Animal Care Center’s senior dogs on Lily's Second Chance
- Love All Animals (opens in a new tab) — Dana Point, California · See Love All Animals’s senior dogs on Lily's Second Chance
- Love All Animals (opens in a new tab) — Dana Point, California · See Love All Animals’s senior dogs on Lily's Second Chance
- Lily's Legacy Senior Dog Sanctuary (opens in a new tab) — Petaluma, California · See Lily's Legacy Senior Dog Sanctuary’s senior dogs on Lily's Second Chance
- Mutts in Need (opens in a new tab) — Newport Beach, California · See Mutts in Need’s senior dogs on Lily's Second Chance
- City of Sacramento Animal Care Services (opens in a new tab) — Sacramento, California · See City of Sacramento Animal Care Services’s senior dogs on Lily's Second Chance
- Los Angeles County Animal Control - Baldwin Park (opens in a new tab) — Baldwin Park, California · See Los Angeles County Animal Control - Baldwin Park’s senior dogs on Lily's Second Chance
- Oakland Animal Services (opens in a new tab) — Oakland, California · See Oakland Animal Services’s senior dogs on Lily's Second Chance
- WAGS Pet Adoption (opens in a new tab) — Westminster, California · See WAGS Pet Adoption’s senior dogs on Lily's Second Chance
- Friends of the Alameda Animal Shelter (opens in a new tab) — Alameda, California · See Friends of the Alameda Animal Shelter’s senior dogs on Lily's Second Chance
- Los Angeles County Animal Control - Agoura (opens in a new tab) — Agoura, California · See Los Angeles County Animal Control - Agoura’s senior dogs on Lily's Second Chance
- Los Angeles County Animal Control - Downey (opens in a new tab) — Downey, California · See Los Angeles County Animal Control - Downey’s senior dogs on Lily's Second Chance
Low-cost spay, neuter and vet care in California
Programs that help California adopters keep a dog healthy on a budget. Each page was checked on 2026-09-10; confirm current hours and eligibility with the organization.
- Spay / neuterLA County Animal Care and Control Spay and Neuter (opens in a new tab) — County voucher program and low cost mobile clinics for dogs and cats in unincorporated areas and contract cities.
- Spay / neuterSan Diego Humane Society Reduced Fee Spay and Neuter Services (opens in a new tab) — Directory of reduced fee spay and neuter providers and assistance programs throughout San Diego County.
- Spay / neuterSan Francisco SPCA Spay/Neuter Clinic (opens in a new tab) — Affordable spay and neuter surgery for cats and dogs with financial assistance for eligible San Francisco residents.
- Help paying for careEast Bay SPCA Pet Care Financial Assistance (opens in a new tab) — Veterinary care grants and spay and neuter vouchers for pet owners in Alameda and Contra Costa counties.
- Spay / neuterSacramento SPCA Spay/Neuter Clinic (opens in a new tab) — Sacramento nonprofit spay and neuter clinic with a fee schedule, wait list and community cat program.
Senior dogs in other states
Adopting a senior dog in California — FAQ
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 senior dog in California?
Open any dog's profile to see which shelter or rescue is caring for them, then use the adoption link or contact details to apply directly with that organization. Lily's Second Chance gathers senior dogs in one place so they're easier to find — the adoption itself happens through the local group.
How much does it cost to adopt a senior dog in California?
Adoption fees vary by organization, but senior dogs are frequently discounted or sponsored because they wait the longest. Many rescues also begin any needed medical care before adoption. The dog's profile or the shelter can confirm the current fee.
Are senior dogs harder to care for?
Usually not. Older dogs are typically calmer and already trained, which makes the first weeks far easier than with a puppy. Some have age-related needs like a special diet or joint support, and the listing or shelter will tell you what to expect.
Can I adopt a senior dog from another city in California?
Yes. Most shelters and rescues in California welcome adopters from anywhere in the state, and some can arrange transport within California for the right match. Open a dog's profile to see the organization's contact details and ask them directly how their process works.
What should I expect in the first weeks after adopting a senior dog in California?
Senior dogs usually settle in faster than puppies because they're already past the most demanding stage. Expect a brief adjustment period — they may be shy at first, then relax into their personality. A consistent routine, a comfortable spot to rest, and patience are usually all it takes.
Can I foster a senior dog in California instead of adopting?
Many shelters and rescues in California offer foster programs — sometimes with a foster-to-adopt path so you can try the match before committing. Fostering is especially valuable for senior dogs because it gets them out of a kennel and into a calm home while they wait for their forever family. Ask the organization on any dog's profile whether fostering is available.
Are senior dogs good with children or other pets in a California home?
Many senior dogs are calm, gentle, and well-suited to family life — but it depends on the individual dog more than anything else. The shelter or rescue caring for each dog can tell you their specific history with children, cats, and other dogs before you apply. Many organizations offer meet-and-greets to make sure the match is right for everyone.
Know a senior dog in California who needs a home?
Shelters and rescues can list adoptable senior dogs for free.