10+ years
Maggie Pearl - Hospice Only
Maggie Pearl was a stray that found her way to Wake County Animal Shelter right before they closed down due to the canine flu outbreak. She did have a…
Pawfect Match Rescue • Holly Springs, NC
Senior dogs in North Carolina
Senior dogs for adoption in North Carolina
Meet 196 adoptable senior dogs (age 7+) in North Carolina. Each one is from a shelter or rescue and ready to give an older dog's quiet, grateful love. Showing 181–196 of 196 below.
Last updated July 12, 2026 at 9:30 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 North Carolina 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 North Carolina
Senior confirmed
Sakari
Sakari is a beautiful girl with a gentle soul. Sadly we believe she did not always know the better side of humans. She was likely fed and bred at best…
Pawfect Match Rescue • Holly Springs, NC
Senior confirmed
Tatum
Meet sweet Tatum, she came from Lenoir County where she was extremely neglected and abused. When she was found she was suffering from heat stroke. She…
Pawfect Match Rescue • Holly Springs, NC
10+ years
Kino
Kino is not your boxed wine kinda guy. Anyone can be shopping for taco ingredients, bread, orange juice, and coffee when they happen to stumble into t…
Pawfect Match Rescue • Holly Springs, NC
Senior confirmed
Ibar
Hello! My name's Ibar! Ibar is a charming little dog with a heart full of love. Despite a challenging start in life from a hoarding situation, he has …
Pawfect Match Rescue • Holly Springs, NC
Senior confirmed
Stella
Meet Stella! Stella is a sweet 7 year old, 55lb girl who loves to be with her people. She is down for going on adventures, so she would be a great fit…
Freedom German Shepherd Rescue • La Grange, NC
Senior confirmed
Nallah
Nallah is full of life. She is not shy at all. She loves to smell everything in the yard and help keep critters out. She also loves to play fetch, tug…
Pawfect Match Rescue • Holly Springs, NC
10+ years
Mooshu (Please Read My Story)
Hello humans, The name is Mooshu (not the dragon) and I am only 10 years old (not hundreds of years old like my namesake). I am a legend in my own rig…
Carolina Animal Rescue And Adoption • Sanford, NC
Senior confirmed
Poppy
YOU MUST COMPLETE A BEST FRIEND PET ADOPTION APPLICATION TO BE CONSIDERED TO ADOPT POPPY. Please apply at: https://toolkit.rescuegroups.org/of/f?c=WHM…
Best Friend Pet Adoption • Cary, NC
Senior confirmed
Uncle Sam
I am Uncle Sam, and if I may say so myself, a gorgeous almost eight year old, 98 pound, sable boy. I am looking for an adopter that likes to play ball…
Freedom German Shepherd Rescue • La Grange, NC
Updated recently
Peaches
Peaches is very scared and will need a extremly secure and patient home for adoption.***Peaches is an 8 year old, goofy, active, sweet, shy at first g…
Pawfect Match Rescue • Holly Springs, NC
Senior confirmed
Holly
Hello my name is Holly! I am a bundle of love weigh about 74lbs. I have been with the rescue since 2018. I had a wonderful litter of puppies and I've …
Pawfect Match Rescue • Holly Springs, NC
Senior confirmed
Elvis
Ain't nothing but a hound dog.... oh and some shepherd they think, basically a heinz 57 with lots of great traits. I love to be with my people and wou…
Rescue Ur Forever Friend • Garner, NC
Senior confirmed
Emma
Hi there! I’m a sweet, wiggly pitbull girl looking for my forever home. I may not have had the easiest start, but you’d never know it from my big smil…
Pawfect Match Rescue • Holly Springs, NC
Senior confirmed
Cooper
Meet Cooper Cooper is a stunning, approximately 63-pound boy with soft gray fur, adorable white markings, and the cutest little underbite. Pictures tr…
Pawfect Match Rescue • Holly Springs, NC
Senior confirmed
Crosby
Hi my name is Crosbyi am a sweet girl Once you get to know me. I am very scared of you and my first instinct is to snip and snap when I'm scared you h…
Atlantic Rottweiler Rescue Foundation • Mooresville, NC
Senior dogs in North Carolina by breed
Senior dogs in North Carolina by city
Shelters & rescues with senior dogs in North Carolina
These organizations currently have at least one adoptable senior dog listed on Lily's Second Chance.
- Charlotte-Mecklenburg Animal Services — Charlotte, North Carolina · See Charlotte-Mecklenburg Animal Services’s senior dogs on Lily's Second Chance
- Pawfect Match Rescue — Holly Springs, North Carolina · See Pawfect Match Rescue’s senior dogs on Lily's Second Chance
- Guilford County Animal Services — Greensbo, North Carolina · See Guilford County Animal Services ’s senior dogs on Lily's Second Chance
- Ruff Love Foster Care and Dog Rescue — Thomasville, North Carolina · See Ruff Love Foster Care and Dog Rescue’s senior dogs on Lily's Second Chance
- Rainbow Bridge Hospice Rescue inc — Middlesex, North Carolina · See Rainbow Bridge Hospice Rescue inc’s senior dogs on Lily's Second Chance
- Best Friend Pet Adoption — Cary, North Carolina · See Best Friend Pet Adoption’s senior dogs on Lily's Second Chance
- Burlington Adoption Center — Haw River, North Carolina · See Burlington Adoption Center’s senior dogs on Lily's Second Chance
- Cumberland County Animal Control — Fayetteville, North Carolina · See Cumberland County Animal Control’s senior dogs on Lily's Second Chance
- SPCA of Wake County — Raleigh, North Carolina · See SPCA of Wake County’s senior dogs on Lily's Second Chance
- Catawba County Animal Care and Control — Newton, North Carolina · See Catawba County Animal Care and Control’s senior dogs on Lily's Second Chance
- CrisisDogsNC — Spring Lake, North Carolina · See CrisisDogsNC’s senior dogs on Lily's Second Chance
- Heart of the Foothills Animal Rescue — Rutherfordton, North Carolina · See Heart of the Foothills Animal Rescue’s senior dogs on Lily's Second Chance
- Animal Care & Control, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department — Charlotte, North Carolina · See Animal Care & Control, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department’s senior dogs on Lily's Second Chance
- Gram Rescue Ranch — Winston Salem, North Carolina · See Gram Rescue Ranch’s senior dogs on Lily's Second Chance
- Mountain Pet Rescue Asheville — Candler, North Carolina · See Mountain Pet Rescue Asheville’s senior dogs on Lily's Second Chance
- Animal Protection Society of Durham — Durham, North Carolina · See Animal Protection Society of Durham’s senior dogs on Lily's Second Chance
- Orange County Animal Services — Chapel Hill, North Carolina · See Orange County Animal Services’s senior dogs on Lily's Second Chance
- Atlantic Rottweiler Rescue Foundation — Mooresville, North Carolina · See Atlantic Rottweiler Rescue Foundation’s senior dogs on Lily's Second Chance
- Carolina Animal Rescue And Adoption — Sanford, North Carolina · See Carolina Animal Rescue And Adoption’s senior dogs on Lily's Second Chance
- Iredell County Animal Services and Control Department — Statesville, North Carolina · See Iredell County Animal Services and Control Department’s senior dogs on Lily's Second Chance
- Piedmont Animal Rescue — Mooresville, North Carolina · See Piedmont Animal Rescue’s senior dogs on Lily's Second Chance
- Freedom German Shepherd Rescue — La Grange , North Carolina · See Freedom German Shepherd Rescue’s senior dogs on Lily's Second Chance
- Happy Hills Animal Foundation — Staley, North Carolina · See Happy Hills Animal Foundation’s senior dogs on Lily's Second Chance
- New Hanover County Sheriff's Office Animal Services Unit — Wilmington, North Carolina · See New Hanover County Sheriff's Office Animal Services Unit’s senior dogs on Lily's Second Chance
Senior dogs in other states
Adopting a senior dog in North Carolina — 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 North Carolina?
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 North Carolina?
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 North Carolina?
Yes. Most shelters and rescues in North Carolina welcome adopters from anywhere in the state, and some can arrange transport within North Carolina 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 North Carolina?
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 North Carolina instead of adopting?
Many shelters and rescues in North Carolina 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 North Carolina 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 North Carolina who needs a home?
Shelters and rescues can list adoptable senior dogs for free.