Senior confirmed
Lilly
Born in 2019, sweet Lilly is looking for some active, dog-savvy people to give her a forever home. She likes long walks, or runs, and absolutely loves…
Welfare for Animals Guild • Sequim, WA
Senior dogs in Washington
Senior dogs for adoption in Washington
Meet 57 adoptable senior dogs (age 7+) in Washington. Each one is from a shelter or rescue and ready to give an older dog's quiet, grateful love. Showing 31–57 of 57 below.
Last updated October 18, 2026 at 10:47 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 Washington 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.
16 shelters and rescues in Washington currently list senior dogs on Lily's Second Chance.
How adoption works in Washington
Seattle, Bellevue and Federal Way generate a large share of Washington's listings, and most are posted by rescue groups. A rescue group usually keeps dogs in foster homes and asks for an application before arranging a visit, while a municipal shelter tends to keep walk-in hours and lets you meet dogs the same day.
Contact the organization on a dog's profile to get started. There is usually an application or a conversation, then a meet and greet, and an adoption fee set by that organization, which often covers spay or neuter and vaccinations. Because listings cluster in a few cities, many groups help arrange transport within Washington for the right match. The organization on the profile can tell you about that dog's history, requirements and availability.
Available senior dogs in Washington
57 senior dogs available in Washington.
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 confirmed
Sparky
Meet Sparky! Meet Sparky, the absolute sweetest couch potato you’ll ever meet! This charming, 8 year old boy has the perfect balance of senior chill a…
Saving Great Animals • Bellevue, WA
Senior confirmed
Wilson
Meet Wilson! Wilson is looking for someone to grow old with. He is a 9 year-old herding mix ( Border Collie, Cattle Dog, McNab, and a little mystery m…
Saving Great Animals • Bellevue, WA
10+ years
Aspen
AspenTag No: 6856Registered Name: NoneBreed: Greyhound MixDate of Birth: June 18, 2021Color: BrindleCat Trainable: NoDog Friendly: See CommentsKid Fri…
Greyhound Pets, Inc. • Woodinville, WA
Senior confirmed
Apollo
Animal Profile: Apollo was adopted as a puppy in 2018. He was well loved and cared for by a wonderful member of the dog community here in WA. Unfortun…
Dog Gone Seattle Rescue • Seattle, WA
Senior confirmed
Leena
This is Leena! This bouncy girl brings playful energy wherever she goes. She loves to move, explore, and show off her happy, wiggly personality. Leena…
Humane Society for Tacoma & Pierce County • Tacoma, WA
10+ years
Penny
Meet Penny! She came to WAG after being found running loose. Born around 2015, Penny is a friendly senior who would love to have a secure home to reti…
Welfare for Animals Guild • Sequim, WA
Senior confirmed
Isabella
Rise Rescue Alliance • Port Angeles, WA
10+ years
Pops
Not Good with Cats · Not Good with Dogs · Single Dog Home · Housetrained · Good with Kids
Rise Rescue Alliance • Port Angeles, WA
Senior confirmed
Senior confirmed
10+ years
Emma
Medical Wavier · Bonded · Cuddler · Leash Trained · Quiet Home · Teens and Adults only · Doesn't Like Being Left Alone
Homeward Pet Adoption Center • Woodinville, WA
10+ years
Chloe
Medical Wavier · Bonded · Cuddler · Higher Energy · Leash Trained · Playful · Quiet Home · Teens and Adults only
Homeward Pet Adoption Center • Woodinville, WA
10+ years
Senior confirmed
Leo
My name is Leo. I am a neutered male, white Alaskan Husky and German Shepherd Dog.
Regional Animal Services of King County • Kent, WA
Senior confirmed
10+ years
10+ years
10+ years
Izzy
Please go to our website for all specific information about this dog. Our info doesn't transfer over to the adoption sites. Izzy came to us after her …
Collar of Hope • Olalla, WA
Senior confirmed
Mellow
Hello! My name is Mellow. I am available to adopt! Send an email to frontdesk@auburnvalleyhs.org for more information or to set up a meet & greet. Sto…
Auburn Valley Humane Society • Auburn, WA
Senior confirmed
Petunia
Hello! My name is Petunia. I am available to adopt! Send an email to frontdesk@auburnvalleyhs.org for more information or to set up a meet & greet. St…
Auburn Valley Humane Society • Auburn, WA
Senior confirmed
Knox
Hello! My name is Knox. I am available to adopt! Send an email to frontdesk@auburnvalleyhs.org for more information or to set up a meet & greet. Stop …
Auburn Valley Humane Society • Auburn, WA
Senior confirmed
Kona
Our website has information about our rescue, adoption process and link to our adoption application www.collarofhope.org We are a foster home based re…
Collar of Hope • Olalla, WA
10+ years
Leah *In Foster
Hello! My name is Leah. I am available to adopt! Send an email to frontdesk@auburnvalleyhs.org for more information or to set up a meet & greet. Stop …
Auburn Valley Humane Society • Auburn, WA
10+ years
Blaze
My name is Blaze. I am a neutered male, brown and white German Shepherd Dog mix.
Regional Animal Services of King County • Kent, WA
Senior confirmed
Boba
My name is Boba. I am a neutered male, black Labrador Retriever mix.
Regional Animal Services of King County • Kent, WA
Senior dogs in Washington by breed
Senior dogs in Washington by city
Shelters & rescues with senior dogs in Washington
These organizations currently have at least one adoptable senior dog listed on Lily's Second Chance.
- Welfare for Animals Guild (opens in a new tab) — Sequim, Washington · See Welfare for Animals Guild’s senior dogs on Lily's Second Chance
- Saving Great Animals (opens in a new tab) — Bellevue, Washington · See Saving Great Animals’s senior dogs on Lily's Second Chance
- Dog Gone Seattle Rescue (opens in a new tab) — Seattle, Washington · See Dog Gone Seattle Rescue’s senior dogs on Lily's Second Chance
- SpokAnimal (opens in a new tab) — Spokane, Washington · See SpokAnimal’s senior dogs on Lily's Second Chance
- Auburn Valley Humane Society (opens in a new tab) — Auburn, Washington · See Auburn Valley Humane Society’s senior dogs on Lily's Second Chance
- Regional Animal Services of King County (opens in a new tab) — Kent, Washington · See Regional Animal Services of King County’s senior dogs on Lily's Second Chance
- Rompin Paws Rescue (opens in a new tab) — Arlington, Washington · See Rompin Paws Rescue’s senior dogs on Lily's Second Chance
- Humane Society for Tacoma & Pierce County (opens in a new tab) — Tacoma, Washington · See Humane Society for Tacoma & Pierce County’s senior dogs on Lily's Second Chance
- Collar of Hope (opens in a new tab) — Olalla, Washington · See Collar of Hope’s senior dogs on Lily's Second Chance
- Ginger's pet rescue (opens in a new tab) — Federal Way , Washington · See Ginger's pet rescue’s senior dogs on Lily's Second Chance
- Homeward Pet Adoption Center (opens in a new tab) — Woodinville, Washington · See Homeward Pet Adoption Center’s senior dogs on Lily's Second Chance
- Rise Rescue Alliance (opens in a new tab) — Port Angeles, Washington · See Rise Rescue Alliance’s senior dogs on Lily's Second Chance
- The Alternative Humane Society of Whatcom County (opens in a new tab) — Bellingham, Washington · See The Alternative Humane Society of Whatcom County’s senior dogs on Lily's Second Chance
- Forever Home Dog Rescue — Lynnwood, Washington · See Forever Home Dog Rescue’s senior dogs on Lily's Second Chance
- Greyhound Pets, Inc. (opens in a new tab) — Woodinville, Washington · See Greyhound Pets, Inc.’s senior dogs on Lily's Second Chance
- Wenatchee Valley Humane Society — Wenatchee, Washington · See Wenatchee Valley Humane Society’s senior dogs on Lily's Second Chance
Low-cost spay, neuter and vet care in Washington
Programs that help Washington 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 / neuterSeattle Animal Shelter, Spay and Neuter Clinic (opens in a new tab) — City clinic offering low-cost spay and neuter surgery for dogs and cats of income-qualified owners.
- Help paying for careSeattle Animal Shelter, Low-Cost Services and Support (opens in a new tab) — City resource page listing low-cost wellness services, spay and neuter clinics and veterinary financial assistance.
- Spay / neuterSeattle Humane, Spay & Neuter (opens in a new tab) — Reduced-cost spay and neuter surgery for dogs and cats of low-income families at the Bellevue center.
- Spay / neuterAuburn Valley Humane Society, Northwest Spay & Neuter Center (opens in a new tab) — Low-cost, high-volume spay and neuter clinic in Tacoma with wellness services for dogs and cats.
- Spay / neuterSpokAnimal, Spay and Neuter (opens in a new tab) — Spay and neuter surgery for dogs and cats at the SpokAnimal veterinary clinic in Spokane.
Senior dogs in other states
Adopting a senior dog in Washington — 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 Washington?
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 Washington?
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 Washington?
Yes. Most shelters and rescues in Washington welcome adopters from anywhere in the state, and some can arrange transport within Washington 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 Washington?
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 Washington instead of adopting?
Many shelters and rescues in Washington 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 Washington 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 Washington who needs a home?
Shelters and rescues can list adoptable senior dogs for free.