Senior confirmed
Farley
This handsome fellow is good with people, but he has never learned how to play with other dogs. He’s walking well on a harness and leash. He loves goi…
SPCA of Northern Virginia • Arlington, VA
Senior dogs in Virginia
Senior dogs for adoption in Virginia
Meet 97 adoptable senior dogs (age 7+) in Virginia. Each one is from a shelter or rescue and ready to give an older dog's quiet, grateful love. Showing 1–30 of 97 below.
Last updated October 18, 2026 at 8:44 AM 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 Virginia 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.
32 shelters and rescues in Virginia currently list senior dogs on Lily's Second Chance.
How adoption works in Virginia
Around Fairfax Station, Rustburg and Chantilly, rescue groups post most of Virginia's listed dogs. Rescue adoptions tend to involve foster homes and an application before a visit, while a municipal shelter usually has walk-in hours and lets you meet dogs directly.
Open the dog's profile and contact the organization that has them. You can expect an application or a conversation, a meet and greet, and an adoption fee set by that organization, which often covers spay or neuter and vaccinations. Since listings gather in a few communities, many groups help arrange transport within Virginia for the right match. The organization on the profile is your best source for that dog's history, requirements and availability.
Available senior dogs in Virginia
97 senior dogs available in Virginia.
10+ years
Walter: At shelter
From a volunteer: ”Walter and I got acquainted on Saturday at the Campbell County Shelter. I have a soft spot for the seniors and love how they can bl…
Friends of Campbell County Animal Control • Rustburg, VA
Senior confirmed
Zoey
Single Dog Home · Recommended with Teens 14+ Only · Priority Pack Adoption/Foster Alert: $50 Adoption Discount
Homeward Trails Animal Rescue • Fairfax Station, VA
Senior confirmed
Senior confirmed
Marshall
Adult-Only Home Required · Single Dog Home · Rewards Program · Only Pet
Homeward Trails Animal Rescue • Fairfax Station, VA
10+ years
Bricks
Goofy Foot Dog Rescue - Staunton, VA • Waynesboro, VA
Senior confirmed
Kiwi
Homeward Trails Animal Rescue • Fairfax Station, VA
10+ years
Mildred
Homeward Trails Animal Rescue • Fairfax Station, VA
10+ years
Turin
Prey drive- No cats/No small animals · Recommended with Kids 10+ only · Adult-Only Home Preferred · Rewards Program · Only Pet
Homeward Trails Animal Rescue • Fairfax Station, VA
Senior confirmed
Senior confirmed
Ry Cooder
Blue Sky Dog Rescue- Virginia Transport • Lyndhurst, VA
Senior confirmed
Mary Jane
Housetrained · Good with Kids · Not Good with Dogs · Not Good with Cats
Augusta Regional SPCA • Staunton, VA
Senior confirmed
Shadow
Homeward Trails Animal Rescue • Fairfax Station, VA
Senior confirmed
10+ years
Koda
Cat Friendly · Fenced Yard Preferred · Kid Friendly
Homeward Trails Animal Rescue • Fairfax Station, VA
Senior confirmed
Hercules
Saver of Souls Pet Rescue • Va Beach, VA
Senior confirmed
Boomer
Boomer is here to rock your world! This darling Yorkie-Lhasa-possbile-Maltese mix is the cutest of cute! Just 9 years old and weighing in at 15 pounds…
Oldies But Goodies Cocker Rescue, Inc • Arlington, VA
Senior confirmed
Matilda
Sweet Matilda! She is the sweetest senior with so many more years of love to give! The vet believes she is about 8yrs old. She just had surgery for ch…
Central Virginia Regional Rescue • Forest, VA
Senior confirmed
Senior confirmed
10+ years
Hightower
Hightower is one of our very special Campbell County boys, and we are glad he is with us! He went straight to the vet the minute his hold time was up,…
Friends of Campbell County Animal Control • Rustburg, VA
10+ years
Alexander: Not At the Shelter (Wendy)
Senior hound Alexander settled into his foster home quite easily, enjoying extra meals and extra rations daily so that he is now pumped and plumped up…
Friends of Campbell County Animal Control • Rustburg, VA
Senior confirmed
Senior confirmed
Chicken Tender
Meet Chicken Tendy! Don't let her tiny size fool youChicken Tendy is a 7-year-old Chihuahua with a BIG personality and all the classic Chihuahua sass!…
Humane Society of Warren County • Front Royal, VA
Senior confirmed
Mimi
Mimi is a 8-10 year old, 40lbs, spayed female Husky. Mimi is a senior girl who is looking for her retirement home where she can lay on a cozy dog bed …
Alleghany Humane Society • Low Moor, VA
10+ years
Max
For nearly 12 years, Max knew nothing but love. He was one of six little dogs who were pampered, cuddled, groomed, taken to the vet, and treated like …
A Forever Home Rescue Foundation • Chantilly, VA
Senior confirmed
Izzy
Meet Izzy – A Sweet Soul with the Best Smile! Looking for a calm, loyal companion? Meet Izzy , a beautiful 7-year-old Lab mix weighing about 40 pounds…
Rugby Creek Animal Rescue, Inc • Mouth Of Wilson, VA
10+ years
Trevor
Meet Trevor! Gender: Male This is Trevor — and if there is one dog in the shelter who deserves a standing ovation, a parade, and a forever home all at…
Fancy Cats Rescue Team • Herndon, VA
Senior confirmed
Anya
Anya came to Mutt Love, along with Callie, when both their elderly humans passed away. Anya is on the shy side and little reserved until she gets to k…
Mutt Love Rescue • Fairfax, VA
10+ years
Senior dogs in Virginia by breed
Senior dogs in Virginia by city
Shelters & rescues with senior dogs in Virginia
These organizations currently have at least one adoptable senior dog listed on Lily's Second Chance.
- Homeward Trails Animal Rescue (opens in a new tab) — Fairfax, Virginia · See Homeward Trails Animal Rescue’s senior dogs on Lily's Second Chance
- Fredericksburg SPCA (opens in a new tab) — Fredericksburg, Virginia · See Fredericksburg SPCA’s senior dogs on Lily's Second Chance
- Norfolk Animal Care Center (opens in a new tab) — Norfolk, Virginia · See Norfolk Animal Care Center’s senior dogs on Lily's Second Chance
- Humane Society of Warren County (opens in a new tab) — Front Royal, Virginia · See Humane Society of Warren County’s senior dogs on Lily's Second Chance
- Friends of Campbell County Animal Control (opens in a new tab) — Rustburg, Virginia · See Friends of Campbell County Animal Control’s senior dogs on Lily's Second Chance
- Mutt Love Rescue (opens in a new tab) — Fairfax, Virginia · See Mutt Love Rescue’s senior dogs on Lily's Second Chance
- Saver of Souls Pet Rescue — Va Beach, Virginia · See Saver of Souls Pet Rescue’s senior dogs on Lily's Second Chance
- Oldies But Goodies Cocker Rescue, Inc — Arlington, Virginia · See Oldies But Goodies Cocker Rescue, Inc’s senior dogs on Lily's Second Chance
- A Forever Home Rescue Foundation (opens in a new tab) — Chantilly, Virginia · See A Forever Home Rescue Foundation’s senior dogs on Lily's Second Chance
- Augusta Regional SPCA (opens in a new tab) — Staunton, Virginia · See Augusta Regional SPCA’s senior dogs on Lily's Second Chance
- Fancy Cats Rescue Team (opens in a new tab) — Herndon, Virginia · See Fancy Cats Rescue Team’s senior dogs on Lily's Second Chance
- Rainbow Animal Rescue, Inc — Norfolk, Virginia · See Rainbow Animal Rescue, Inc’s senior dogs on Lily's Second Chance
- SPCA of Northern Virginia (opens in a new tab) — Arlington, Virginia · See SPCA of Northern Virginia’s senior dogs on Lily's Second Chance
- Chesapeake Humane Society (opens in a new tab) — Chesapeake, Virginia · See Chesapeake Humane Society’s senior dogs on Lily's Second Chance
- Dog World Rescue, Inc. — Alexandria, Virginia · See Dog World Rescue, Inc.’s senior dogs on Lily's Second Chance
- East Coast Gentle Giants Rescue — Virginia Beach, Virginia · See East Coast Gentle Giants Rescue’s senior dogs on Lily's Second Chance
- Virginia German Shepherd Rescue (opens in a new tab) — Centreville, Virginia · See Virginia German Shepherd Rescue’s senior dogs on Lily's Second Chance
- Alleghany Humane Society (opens in a new tab) — Low Moor, Virginia · See Alleghany Humane Society’s senior dogs on Lily's Second Chance
- Blue Sky Dog Rescue- Virginia Transport — Raphine, Virginia · See Blue Sky Dog Rescue- Virginia Transport’s senior dogs on Lily's Second Chance
- Bully Rescue & Advocacy Group, Inc. (opens in a new tab) — Chester, Virginia · See Bully Rescue & Advocacy Group, Inc.’s senior dogs on Lily's Second Chance
- Central Virginia Regional Rescue (opens in a new tab) — Forest, Virginia · See Central Virginia Regional Rescue’s senior dogs on Lily's Second Chance
- Coastal sheltie rescue inc — Virginia beach, Virginia · See Coastal sheltie rescue inc’s senior dogs on Lily's Second Chance
- Culpeper Humane Society (opens in a new tab) — Culpeper, Virginia · See Culpeper Humane Society’s senior dogs on Lily's Second Chance
- Friends Of Bedford County Animal Shelter — Bedford, Virginia · See Friends Of Bedford County Animal Shelter’s senior dogs on Lily's Second Chance
Low-cost spay, neuter and vet care in Virginia
Programs that help Virginia 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 / neuterVirginia Beach SPCA, Spay/Neuter Services (opens in a new tab) — Affordable spay and neuter surgery at the Virginia Beach clinic and through the Neuter Scooter mobile service.
- Low-cost vet careRichmond SPCA, Veterinary Services (opens in a new tab) — Richmond SPCA veterinary hospital and clinic services for pet owners in the Richmond area.
- Spay / neuterCity of Norfolk, Spay/Neuter (opens in a new tab) — City animal care page listing low-cost spay and neuter clinics serving Hampton Roads.
- Help paying for careFairfax County Animal Services, Spay/Neuter Voucher Program (opens in a new tab) — Low-cost spay and neuter vouchers for income-eligible Fairfax County residents, redeemed at participating clinics.
Senior dogs in other states
Adopting a senior dog in Virginia — 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 Virginia?
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 Virginia?
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 Virginia?
Yes. Most shelters and rescues in Virginia welcome adopters from anywhere in the state, and some can arrange transport within Virginia 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 Virginia?
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 Virginia instead of adopting?
Many shelters and rescues in Virginia 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 Virginia 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.
Guides to help you decide
Getting started
Why Adopt a Senior Dog? 7 Reasons Older Dogs Make Wonderful Companions
Senior dogs are often calm, house-trained, and overlooked at shelters. Here are seven honest reasons an older dog may be the best companion you ever bring home.
6 min readUnderstanding ageHow Old Is a "Senior" Dog? Senior Age by Breed and Size
A dog is not "old" at the same age across the board — size and breed change everything. Here is how to tell when a dog becomes a senior, and what it means for care.
5 min readCare & healthCaring for a Senior Dog: Health, Diet, and Everyday Comfort
How to keep an older dog healthy and comfortable — vet care, senior-appropriate diet, joint and dental health, exercise, and simple home adjustments that make a big difference.
8 min readKnow a senior dog in Virginia who needs a home?
Shelters and rescues can list adoptable senior dogs for free.