The national senior-dog directory

Senior dogs for adoption, nationwide

6,316 adoptable senior dogs (age 7+) are listed right now, with 6,166 currently grouped across 47 states. Search below, or browse by state or age.

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.

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.

34 senior dogs match your search

34 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
Photo of Kirby, adoptable senior Jack Russell Terrier (Parson Russell Terrier) in Albuquerque, New Mexico

Kirby

Jack Russell Terrier (Parson Russell Terrier) • Male • Small • 9 years

Albuquerque Animal Services - Westside • Albuquerque, NM

Senior confirmed
Photo of Shadow, adoptable senior Australian Terrier in Albuquerque, New Mexico

Shadow

Australian Terrier • Female • Small • 9 years

Albuquerque Animal Services - Westside • Albuquerque, NM

Senior confirmed
Photo of Raja, adoptable senior Labrador Retriever in Albuquerque, New Mexico

Raja

Labrador Retriever • Female • Medium • 7 years

Meet Raja! ??Raja is a sweet 7-year-old girl who is affectionate, playful, and always ready for some fun! She’s easy to leash and walks nicely, making…

Albuquerque Animal Services - Westside • Albuquerque, NM

Senior confirmed
Photo of Dorito, adoptable senior Chihuahua in Albuquerque, New Mexico

Dorito

Chihuahua • Male • Medium • 9 years

Meet Dorito! Hi there! I’m Dorito, an absolutely adorable 9-year-old Chihuahua mix weighing just 8 pounds. I may be a little guy, but I have a whole l…

Albuquerque Animal Services - Westside • Albuquerque, NM

10+ years
Photo of Sasha, adoptable senior Siberian Husky in Albuquerque, New Mexico

Sasha

Siberian Husky • Female • Medium • 12 years

Sasha is a 12-year-old Siberian Husky who weighs 66 pounds, but don’t let her age fool you—this girl still has plenty of pep in her step! She is wonde…

Albuquerque Animal Services - Westside • Albuquerque, NM

10+ years
Photo of Apollo, adoptable senior Queensland Heeler in Albuquerque, New Mexico

Apollo

Queensland Heeler • Male • Small • 11 years

Meet Apollo, an 11-year-old neutered male Queensland Heeler mix who clearlyforgot to read the part of the calendar that says he`s supposed to be aseni…

Albuquerque Animal Services - Westside • Albuquerque, NM

Senior confirmed
Photo of Apple, adoptable senior Labrador Retriever in Albuquerque, New Mexico

Apple

Labrador Retriever • Male • Large • 8 years

Meet Apple —a 7-year-old male Labrador Retriever mix who proves that older dogs are just well-aged goofballs. Apple is big, strong, and built like a f…

Albuquerque Animal Services - Westside • Albuquerque, NM

Senior confirmed
Photo of Spike, adoptable senior American Pit Bull Terrier in Albuquerque, New Mexico

Spike

American Pit Bull Terrier • Male • Large • 9 years

Meet Spike, an 8-year-old Pit Bull mix who may look like he could be thebouncer at the world`s toughest nightclub-but don`t let the tough-guyexterior …

Albuquerque Animal Services - Westside • Albuquerque, NM

10+ years
Photo of Guero, adoptable senior Staffordshire Bull Terrier in Albuquerque, New Mexico

Guero

Staffordshire Bull Terrier • Male • Medium • 10 years

Meet Guero, a 10-year-old neutered male, who may look like he’s auditioning for the role of “tough guy,” but don’t let the serious face fool you; Guer…

Albuquerque Animal Services - Westside • Albuquerque, NM

Senior confirmed
Photo of Vader, adoptable senior Labrador Retriever in Albuquerque, New Mexico

Vader

Labrador Retriever • Male • Medium • 7 years

Meet Vader! Don`t let the name fool you-Vader is no villain! This 7-year-old LabradorRetriever is a sweet gentleman. His sweet personality shines when…

Albuquerque Animal Services - Westside • Albuquerque, NM

Senior confirmed
Photo of Smalls, adoptable senior American Pit Bull Terrier in Albuquerque, New Mexico

Smalls

American Pit Bull Terrier • Male • Medium • 9 years

Meet Smalls! Don`t let the name fool you-Smalls may be petite, but he has plenty ofpersonality! This handsome 9-year-old Pit Bull mix weighs under 40 …

Albuquerque Animal Services - Westside • Albuquerque, NM

Senior confirmed
Photo of Ranger, adoptable senior German Shepherd Dog in Albuquerque, New Mexico

Ranger

German Shepherd Dog • Male • Medium • 9 years

Albuquerque Animal Services - Westside • Albuquerque, NM

Showing 18 of 34 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 47 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

All states

Browse by age

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.