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
The national senior-dog directory
Senior dogs for adoption, nationwide
6,932 adoptable senior dogs (age 7+) are listed right now, with 6,719 currently grouped across 48 states. Search below, or browse by state or age.
Last updated November 9, 2026 at 1:47 AM EST. Listings refresh throughout the day. Always confirm a dog’s availability with the shelter or rescue before making plans.
Lily's Second Chance is 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.
6,932 senior dogs waiting for a home
6,932 senior dogs available.
Search by name, breed, state, size, or sex — every result is a real, currently listed senior dog.
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At Risk
Nash
PLEASE READ BIO BEFORE EMAILING WITH ANY QUESTIONS AS WE TRY TO INCLUDE ALL INFORMATION THAT IS KNOWN. WE ARE ALL VOLUNTEERS WORKING FULL-TIME JOBS AN…
Lost Angels Animal Rescue, Inc. • Tampa, FL
At Risk
MJ
Meet MJ! He is a 9yr old beagle/terrier mix. He was found as a stray in KY and ended up in a kill shelter...until we rescued him. He seems to get alon…
S&L Animal Rescue, Inc. • Pittstown, NJ
Urgent Need
Jamison
Jamison ---- There’s a photo of Jamison playing with another dog… It’s from years ago. Back when the world felt bigger. Back before days turned into y…
Animal Rescue Fund of MS • Jackson, MS
At Risk
Lady Carpenter
Meet Lady Carpenter On August 3rd, I received a heartbreaking call from a young woman who had been referred to me by our vet’s office. She had just lo…
TLC K9 Rescue • Escondido, CA
At Risk
Oliver
Oliver is a laid-back guy who seems to enjoy the company of other dogs in a calm and gentle way. From our observations, he tends to be a bit timid at …
Dallas Animal Services • Dallas, TX
At Risk
Nell
Nell started out in life as the feral pup of a feral mom. She was rescued at a young age and has been in our care virtually her entire life. She has l…
Bluebonnet Animal Rescue Network • Whitewright, TX
At Risk
Remi
Meet Remi, a 9-year-old sweetheart who somehow manages to be calm, goofy, gentle, and full of joy all at once. Her foster family describes her as trul…
Dallas Pets Alive • Dallas, TX
At Risk
Janet
At 12 years young, Janet has perfected the art of the good life: slow sniffy walks, cozy beds, and staying as close to her favorite human as physicall…
Dallas Pets Alive • Dallas, TX
At Risk
Chewie
Meet CHEWIE THE GREAT! Hi friends! I’m Chewie, but my foster mama calls me “Chewie the Great!” I’m a handsome 7-year-old, 63 lb blue and white Pit Bul…
Passion for Pitties • Chula Vista, CA
At Risk
Darling Dottie
Darling Dottie was found alone in a house after her owner sadly died in the shower. She was on her last day at the shelter when a life-saving foster s…
Pawfect Match Rescue • Holly Springs, NC
Urgent Need
Max
#A5790141 Max is a 10-year-old, 57 lb neutered male Shepherd / Husky mix with a super soft tan and brown coat and the sweetest senior energy. Surrende…
United Hope for Animals • Pasadena, CA
At Risk
Hershal
Hershal has had a pretty rough life..Its clear he was never loved or cared for. We rescued him from certain death when he found himself at a southern …
The Last Resort • Hewitt, NJ
At Risk
Tollie & Walter - Bonded Pair
Backstory for Tollie & Walter Animal Saints Rescue Society was asked to help with an owner surrender involving several "Imperial" Shih Tzu. Their form…
Animal Saints Rescue Society • Fort Montgomery, NY
At Risk
Buffy
Buffy is a 13-year-old Shih Tzu with the heart of a teddy bear and the soul of a professional napper. Buffy came to us in 2023 after her beloved owner…
For Pet's Sake Rescue • Long Beach, MS
Urgent Need
Bluey (8yo, 69lbs)
FYI... the next FOUR adoptions are sponsored by ZEIGLER & ZIEGLER LAW FIRM of Hinton, WV! Meet BLUEY, a handsome pittie mix with a heart as big as his…
Animal Control and Welfare Project, Inc • Hinton, WV
At Risk
Sadie
Sadie the SweetPea is full of love and wants to tell you her story After surviving years of neglect, look at her smile! She was rescued in Georgia whe…
PA Caring for K-9's • New Oxford, PA
At Risk
Boogie
Meet Boogie! A gentle almost nine-year-old, 80-pound Shepherd/Rottweiler mix currently living in Redwood City, CA, whose journey is nothing short of m…
Joyful Pets Animal Rescue • Amherst, MA
Showing 18 of 6932 dogs.
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 48 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.
What should I prepare before bringing a senior dog home?
A quiet space to rest, easy access to food and water, and a short chat with the shelter about any diet or mobility needs the specific dog has will set you both up well. Keeping the first few days calm and predictable helps an older dog relax and start to feel settled in their new surroundings.
How do I know if a senior dog is right for my household?
Ask the shelter or rescue caring for the dog about their history with children, cats, and other dogs, and whether a meet-and-greet is possible before you decide. Because older dogs are already grown and settled, their temperament tends to be easier to read, which makes finding the right fit for your home more straightforward.
Is fostering a senior dog a good first step?
For many people, yes. Fostering gets a dog out of a kennel and into a calm home, and it lets you see how the match fits day to day before committing. Many of the organizations named on a dog's profile offer fostering, sometimes with a foster-to-adopt path, so it's worth asking them whether it's available.
How this directory works
Lily's Second Chance is 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
California1318Texas951Florida797Arizona318Georgia298Illinois216North Carolina214Maryland213New York195Colorado166Nevada161Utah135Missouri130New Mexico128Pennsylvania114Minnesota109New Jersey104Virginia98South Carolina86Massachusetts82Tennessee82Indiana78Oklahoma76Mississippi71Washington67Ohio63Louisiana50Michigan44Alabama41Iowa38Oregon33Delaware28West Virginia28Wisconsin23Kansas19Kentucky19Rhode Island19Connecticut18Alaska16South Dakota16District of Columbia15Idaho13Vermont13Arkansas9Nebraska9New Hampshire5North Dakota5Wyoming2Montana1Puerto Rico1
All states
Alabama41Alaska16American SamoaArizona318Arkansas9California1318Colorado166Connecticut18Delaware28District of Columbia15Florida797Georgia298GuamHawaiiIdaho13Illinois216Indiana78Iowa38Kansas19Kentucky19Louisiana50MaineMaryland213Massachusetts82Michigan44Minnesota109Mississippi71Missouri130Montana1Nebraska9Nevada161New Hampshire5New Jersey104New Mexico128New York195North Carolina214North Dakota5Northern Mariana IslandsOhio63Oklahoma76Oregon33Pennsylvania114Puerto Rico1Rhode Island19South Carolina86South Dakota16Tennessee82Texas951U.S. Virgin IslandsUtah135Vermont13Virginia98Washington67West Virginia28Wisconsin23Wyoming2
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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 refresh throughout the day, and availability can change between updates. Always confirm a dog's availability with the shelter or rescue before making plans.
Helpful resources
Looking for a specific breed?
Browse senior dogs by breed, or share a senior dog who needs a home.