At Risk
Peanut Butter
Meet Peanut Butter — a tiny old soul with a big personality and a heart that refuses to be overlooked. At 14 years young, this chihuahua mix found him…
Polka Dogz Pet REscue, INc. • oakland, FL
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.
14 senior dogs match your search
14 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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Senior confirmed
Dutton
Meet Dutton, an adorable 8-year-old Chihuahua mix who is looking for a quiet place to call home. Dutton is a gentle, shy little guy who takes a little…
Polka Dogz Pet REscue, INc. • oakland, FL
10+ years
Snowee
At 12 years young, Snowee is proof that the best companions only get sweeter with age. This handsome Terrier mix is a gentle, loving soul who forms a …
Polka Dogz Pet REscue, INc. • oakland, FL
10+ years
Grandpa Leo
Allow us to introduce Grandpa Leo, a charming 12-year-old Shih Tzu with a heart as big as his personality. Life has given him a few bumps along the wa…
Polka Dogz Pet REscue, INc. • oakland, FL
10+ years
Spotty
Meet Spotty! At 16 years young, Spotty is a sweet senior with a heart full of love—literally! He came to us after his previous family could no longer …
Polka Dogz Pet REscue, INc. • oakland, FL
10+ years
Paxton
Paxton is a 12-year-old Shih Tzu with a heart full of love and a fun little personality! This super sweet guy is potty trained, gets along wonderfully…
Polka Dogz Pet REscue, INc. • oakland, FL
10+ years
Dolly Pawton
At 10 years old, Dolly Pawton is the kind of girl who makes it incredibly easy to fall in love. This sweet Shih-Tzu mix is gentle, affectionate, and h…
Polka Dogz Pet REscue, INc. • oakland, FL
Senior confirmed
Reggie
Reggie is an 8-year-old terrier mix with a big personality packed into one adorable pup. Don’t let his age fool you—this handsome little guy is super …
Polka Dogz Pet REscue, INc. • oakland, FL
Senior confirmed
Brando
Meet Brando! This handsome 7-year-old Yorkie mix may be a little guarded when you first meet him, but he just needs someone willing to let him get to …
Polka Dogz Pet REscue, INc. • oakland, FL
10+ years
Struesel
At 15 years old and 18 pounds, Struesel is a sweet little Schnauzer mix who has mastered the art of being absolutely lovable! This gentle senior boy i…
Polka Dogz Pet REscue, INc. • oakland, FL
10+ years
Cotton Ball
Meet Cotton Ball, a 17-year-old Bichon with a heart full of love and a zest for life! This sweet, spunky senior boy may be a little older, but he cert…
Polka Dogz Pet REscue, INc. • oakland, FL
10+ years
Douglas
At 13 years young, Douglas has perfected the art of enjoying life’s simple pleasures — and he’s hoping to find someone to share them with. This charmi…
Polka Dogz Pet REscue, INc. • oakland, FL
10+ years
Chuey
Chuey is a 10-year-old Labradoodle with a heart full of love and a personality that will make you smile! Don’t let his age fool you—this sweet boy is …
Polka Dogz Pet REscue, INc. • oakland, FL
10+ years
Branley
Branley may be a senior, but don’t tell him that—he’s too busy enjoying life his way. At 12 years young, this charming Rat Terrier has perfected the a…
Polka Dogz Pet REscue, INc. • oakland, FL
Showing 14 of 14 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.