10+ years
Gidget *Arriving 8/22* D12148
Available for Foster to Adopt · Good with Dogs · Energy level low · Adventurous · Affectionate · Crate Trained · Good with Cats · Gentle · Goofy · Hou…
Ruff Start Rescue • Princeton area, MN
Senior dogs in Minnesota
Senior dogs for adoption in Minnesota
Meet 102 adoptable senior dogs (age 7+) in Minnesota. Each one is from a shelter or rescue and ready to give an older dog's quiet, grateful love. Showing 1–30 of 102 below.
Last updated August 21, 2026 at 12:05 AM EDT. Listings refresh automatically, usually every 12 hours.
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 Minnesota 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.
Available senior dogs in Minnesota
10+ years
Charly *Arriving 8/22* D12139
Available for Foster to Adopt · Foster Needed · Seniors for Seniors · Affectionate · Energy level low · Gentle · Good with Dogs · Good with older, con…
Ruff Start Rescue • Princeton area, MN
Senior confirmed
Ahri
Ahri came to the shelter on 8/7/2026 as an owner surrender. Her owners' lives underwent some big changes and they could no longer give her the time an…
Mower County Humane Society • AUSTIN, MN
10+ years
Glenda
Oh, sweet Glenda! She came to us from the city pound on July 17th and was a matted mess. We realized pretty quickly that she's a senior dog (a feisty …
Mower County Humane Society • AUSTIN, MN
10+ years
Tucker D70124
Good with Cats · Good with Dogs · Good with Kids · Housetrained
The Bond Between • Minnesota, MN
Senior confirmed
Honey D70062
Crate trained · Good with Dogs · Housetrained · Good with older, considerate children
The Bond Between • Minnesota, MN
Senior confirmed
Gilbert D69744
Good with Dogs · Housetrained · Good with Cats · Good with older, considerate children
The Bond Between • Minnesota, MN
Senior confirmed
10+ years
Yoko D17184
Sight impaired · @Hospice · Good with Dogs · Timid / Shy · Housetrained
The Bond Between • Minnesota, MN
Senior confirmed
Bodie
Affectionate · Snuggler · Location: Minnesota · Intelligent · Housetrained · Kennel Trained · Good with Dogs · Energy level low · Couch potato · Adult…
Rescue Network • Buffalo, MN
Senior confirmed
Senior confirmed
Chester
Affectionate · Snuggler · Location: Minnesota · Housetrained · Kennel Trained · Good with Kids · Good with Dogs · Intelligent
Rescue Network • Buffalo, MN
Senior confirmed
Foxglove
Location: Minnesota · Energy level medium · Good with Dogs · Housetrained · Good on the leash · Affectionate · Snuggler
Rescue Network • Buffalo, MN
Senior confirmed
Pepper
Affectionate · Couch potato · Snuggler · Adult-Only Home Preferred · Energy level medium · Good with Dogs · Goofy · Housetrained · Likes toys · Locati…
Rescue Network • Buffalo, MN
Senior confirmed
Senior confirmed
Rex D12092
Adult-Only Home Preferred · Adventurous · Affectionate · Crate Trained · Does well in a car · Energy level moderate · Bonded · Good with Dogs · Goofy …
Ruff Start Rescue • Princeton area, MN
Senior confirmed
Honey D12091
Lap pet · Affectionate · Energy level low · Good with Dogs · Gentle · Leash Trained · Housetrained · Seniors for Seniors · Does well in a car
Ruff Start Rescue • Princeton area, MN
10+ years
Senior confirmed
Senior confirmed
Empress D11964
Heartworm+ · Energy level low · Good with Cats · Good with Dogs · Good with older, considerate children · Housetrained · Leash Trained · Crate Trained…
Ruff Start Rescue • Princeton area, MN
Senior confirmed
Bugsy D11922
Likes toys · Goofy · Good with Dogs · Energy level low · Affectionate · Crate Trained · Gentle · Housetrained · Lap pet · Leash Trained · Playful
Ruff Start Rescue • Princeton area, MN
Senior confirmed
Mira D11750
Housetrained · Good with Dogs · Good with older, considerate children · Energy level low · Affectionate · Does well in a car · Gentle · Goofy · Lap pe…
Ruff Start Rescue • Princeton area, MN
Senior confirmed
Montaigne D11737
Good with Cats · Good with Dogs · Good with Kids · Housetrained · Leash Trained
Ruff Start Rescue • Princeton area, MN
10+ years
Pearl D11732
Housetrained · Good with older, considerate children · Energy level low · Adventurous · Affectionate · Does well in a car · Gentle · Leash Trained · S…
Ruff Start Rescue • Princeton area, MN
Senior confirmed
Matilda D11720
Good with Cats · Good with Dogs · Good with Kids · Housetrained · Crate Trained · Leash Trained · Affectionate · Gentle · Lap pet · Likes toys · No sh…
Ruff Start Rescue • Princeton area, MN
10+ years
Romeo D10431
Energy level low · Lap pet · Intelligent · Seniors for Seniors · Crate Trained · Leash Trained · No shared walls · Good with Dogs · Good with Cats · N…
Ruff Start Rescue • Princeton area, MN
Senior confirmed
Cardi D10257
Good with Cats · Energy level moderate · Crate Trained · Affectionate · Goofy · Intelligent · Likes toys · Playful · Seniors for Seniors · Good with D…
Ruff Start Rescue • Princeton area, MN
Senior confirmed
Vespa & Mooney *foster home needed for bonded pair
Vespa (8.5 yr old neutered male, catahoula/bullterrier mix) & Mooney (7yr old spayed female, lab/pit mix) are looking for a foster home or foster-to-a…
Redemption Road Rescue • Crystal, MN
Senior confirmed
Sugar - No Longer Accepting Applications
Sugar is a devoted, gentle Pekingese who lives up to her sweet name. At 14 pounds and 9 years 9 months old, she's calm in the house, well-mannered, an…
Pet Haven Inc. of MN • St. Paul, MN
Senior confirmed
Wink
Meet Wink, a sweet 7-year-old Cattle Dog/Heeler mix with a gentle heart and an easygoing personality. At 35 pounds, this handsome black and white boy …
Pet Haven Inc. of MN • St. Paul, MN
Senior dogs in Minnesota by breed
Senior dogs in Minnesota by city
Shelters & rescues with senior dogs in Minnesota
These organizations currently have at least one adoptable senior dog listed on Lily's Second Chance.
- Underdog Rescue MN — St. Louis Park, Minnesota · See Underdog Rescue MN’s senior dogs on Lily's Second Chance
- Ruff Start Rescue — Princeton, Minnesota · See Ruff Start Rescue’s senior dogs on Lily's Second Chance
- Ruff Start Rescue — Princeton, Minnesota · See Ruff Start Rescue’s senior dogs on Lily's Second Chance
- Across America Boxer Rescue — Burnsville, Minnesota · See Across America Boxer Rescue’s senior dogs on Lily's Second Chance
- Mower County Humane Society — AUSTIN, Minnesota · See Mower County Humane Society’s senior dogs on Lily's Second Chance
- Rescue Network — Buffalo, Minnesota · See Rescue Network’s senior dogs on Lily's Second Chance
- The Bond Between — Minnetonka, Minnesota · See The Bond Between’s senior dogs on Lily's Second Chance
- Doberman Rescue Minnesota — Princeton, Minnesota · See Doberman Rescue Minnesota’s senior dogs on Lily's Second Chance
- Pet Haven Inc. of MN — St. Paul, Minnesota · See Pet Haven Inc. of MN’s senior dogs on Lily's Second Chance
- Redemption Road Rescue — Crystal, Minnesota · See Redemption Road Rescue’s senior dogs on Lily's Second Chance
- Rejection Collection Boxer Rescue — Owatonna, Minnesota · See Rejection Collection Boxer Rescue’s senior dogs on Lily's Second Chance
- Marshmallow Foundation — Detroit Lakes, Minnesota · See Marshmallow Foundation’s senior dogs on Lily's Second Chance
- Mending Spirits Animal Rescue — Mankato, Minnesota · See Mending Spirits Animal Rescue’s senior dogs on Lily's Second Chance
- Minnesota Boxer Rescue — Woodbury, Minnesota · See Minnesota Boxer Rescue’s senior dogs on Lily's Second Chance
- The Rescue Crew, Inc — Andover, Minnesota · See The Rescue Crew, Inc’s senior dogs on Lily's Second Chance
- United Doberman Rescue — Buffalo, Minnesota · See United Doberman Rescue’s senior dogs on Lily's Second Chance
- No Dog Left Behind — Brooklyn Center, Minnesota · See No Dog Left Behind’s senior dogs on Lily's Second Chance
Senior dogs in other states
Adopting a senior dog in Minnesota — 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 Minnesota?
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 Minnesota?
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 Minnesota?
Yes. Most shelters and rescues in Minnesota welcome adopters from anywhere in the state, and some can arrange transport within Minnesota 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 Minnesota?
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 Minnesota instead of adopting?
Many shelters and rescues in Minnesota 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 Minnesota 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 Minnesota who needs a home?
Shelters and rescues can list adoptable senior dogs for free.