The national senior-dog directory

Senior dogs for adoption, nationwide

5,527 adoptable senior dogs (age 7+) are listed right now, with 5,276 currently grouped across 50 states. Search below, or browse by state or age.

Last updated July 12, 2026 at 9:30 AM EDT. Listings refresh automatically, usually every 12 hours.

Lily's Second Chanceis a free nonprofit directory built in memory of Lily, a senior dog adopted at 10 who gave seven beautiful years of love. We don't shelter or adopt out dogs ourselves — we gather listings from real shelters and rescues so older dogs get seen before they're overlooked.

6 senior dogs match your search

6 senior dogs match your search.

Search by name, breed, state, size, or sex — every result is a real, currently listed senior dog.

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10+ years
Angel, adoptable senior Terrier in Wheaton, IL

Angel

Terrier • ♀ Female • Small • 10 years

Angel is a 4-6 year old female Terrier mix who weighs in at 15 pounds. This dog's adoption fee is $400. If you are still interested, please read more …

Animal Rescue Foundation (ARF-IL) • Wheaton, IL

Senior confirmed
Brewer, adoptable senior Labrador Retriever in Wheaton, IL

Brewer

Labrador Retriever • ♂ Male • Large • 9 years

Brewer is a 9 year old male Lab/Boxer mix who weighs in at approximately 80 pounds. This dog's adoption fee is $250. Check out the 2 pictures of him w…

Animal Rescue Foundation (ARF-IL) • Wheaton, IL

Senior confirmed
Jimmy John, adoptable senior Poodle (Toy) in Wheaton, IL

Jimmy John

Poodle (Toy) • ♂ Male • Small • 8 years

Jimmy John is an 8 year old male Poodle who weighs in at 4.5 pounds. This dog's adoption fee is $350. If you are still interested, please read more be…

Animal Rescue Foundation (ARF-IL) • Wheaton, IL

Senior confirmed
Bella, adoptable senior Chihuahua in Wheaton, IL

Bella

Chihuahua • ♀ Female • Small • 7 years

Bella is a 7 year old female Chihuahua who weighs in at 7.8 pounds. This dog's adoption fee is $350. If you are still interested, please read more bel…

Animal Rescue Foundation (ARF-IL) • Wheaton, IL

Senior confirmed
Waylon and Cash, adoptable senior Australian Cattle Dog/Blue Heeler in Wheaton, IL

Waylon and Cash

Australian Cattle Dog/Blue Heeler • ♂ Male • Large • 8 years

Waylon and Cash are 8 year old bonded male Australian Cattle Dogs who weigh in at 70 and 60 pounds respectively. The combined adoption fee for both do…

Animal Rescue Foundation (ARF-IL) • Wheaton, IL

Senior confirmed
Jersey Mike, adoptable senior Poodle (Toy) in Wheaton, IL

Jersey Mike

Poodle (Toy) • ♂ Male • Small • 8 years

Jersey Mike is an 8 year old male Poodle who weighs in at 4.8 pounds. This dog's adoption fee is $350. If you are still interested, please read more b…

Animal Rescue Foundation (ARF-IL) • Wheaton, IL

Finding a senior dog, answered

How do I find senior dogs for adoption in my state?

Choose your state from the list on this page to see every adoptable senior dog (age 7 and up) that shelters and rescues have listed there. Each dog's profile links straight to the organization caring for them, so you apply with the right group.

Does Lily's Second Chance list senior dogs from every state?

Lily's Second Chance gathers adoptable senior dogs from shelters and rescues nationwide, and any US state can have listings. Right now senior dogs are listed in 52 states as dogs are adopted and new ones are added, so if your state isn't shown yet it's worth checking back or browsing a neighboring state.

Can I adopt a senior dog from another state?

Often, yes. Many rescues arrange or help coordinate transport for the right adopter, while others prefer a local meet-and-greet first. Open the dog's profile and ask the shelter or rescue directly how their out-of-state adoption process works.

How this directory works

Lily's Second Chanceis not a shelter, rescue, or breeder — it's a free nonprofit directory. Listings are pulled automatically from shelter management platforms and rescue networks (including the RescueGroups.org network and individual shelters' own websites), then refreshed on a recurring schedule so the dogs shown stay current. Adoption always happens through the shelter or rescue caring for the dog, never through Lily's Second Chance— every dog's profile links straight to that organization's adoption process or contact details.

Because availability changes constantly, always confirm a specific dog's status directly with the listing shelter or rescue before making plans to visit or apply. A dog whose listing shows it isn't open for adoption yet (e.g. still in transport or intake) is labeled "Coming soon" and kept out of the counts above until it opens up.

States with senior dogs right now

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Popular breeds waiting now

Adopting a senior dog — what to expect

Most senior dogs are already house-trained and past the chewing/high-energy puppy stage, so the first weeks are usually calmer than raising a puppy. Expect a short adjustment period as a newly adopted senior settles in — a consistent routine, a comfortable place to rest, and some patience go a long way. Ask the shelter or rescue about the dog's health history, energy level, and any age-related needs (a special diet, joint support, etc.) before you apply; most are minor and manageable, and many organizations begin needed medical care before the dog is even listed.

Adopting a senior dog — 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 find a senior dog to adopt?

You can search by name, breed, state, city, or age, or browse the landing pages for each. Every result is a real senior dog listed by a shelter or rescue, and each profile links straight to the organization caring for that dog.

How do I adopt a dog I find here?

Open the dog's profile to see which shelter or rescue is caring for them, then use the adoption link or contact details on that profile to apply directly with the organization. Lily's Second Chance gathers senior dogs in one place so they're easier to find — the adoption itself always happens through the local shelter or rescue.

Are these listings up to date?

Listings are refreshed daily from shelters and rescues. Because dogs are adopted and added constantly, availability can change between updates — confirm any dog directly with the shelter or rescue.

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