Lily’s Second Chance

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.

15 senior dogs match your search

15 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
Photo of Izzy D12814, adoptable senior Terrier, American Pit Bull / Terrier, Pit Bull in Princeton area, Minnesota

Izzy D12814

Terrier, American Pit Bull / Terrier, Pit Bull • Female • 10 years

Affectionate · Good with Dogs · Good with Cats · Good with Kids · Adventurous · Does well in a car · Energy level low · Gentle · Goofy · Leash Trained…

Ruff Start Rescue • Princeton area, MN

View profileView Adoption Page ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Senior confirmed
Photo of Bear D12582, adoptable senior Collie, Border / Retriever, Labrador in Princeton area, Minnesota

Bear D12582

Collie, Border / Retriever, Labrador • Male • 9 years

Good with Dogs · Good with Cats · Good with Kids · Timid / Shy · Seniors for Seniors · Housetrained · Energy level moderate · Affectionate · Does well…

Ruff Start Rescue • Princeton area, MN

View profileView Adoption Page ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Senior confirmed
Photo of Shadoe D12813, adoptable senior Retriever, Black Labrador / Weimaraner in Princeton area, Minnesota

Shadoe D12813

Retriever, Black Labrador / Weimaraner • Female • 8 years

Affectionate · Good with Cats · Good with Dogs · Good with older, considerate children · Housetrained · Energy level moderate · Crate Trained · Does w…

Ruff Start Rescue • Princeton area, MN

View profileView Adoption Page ↗ (opens in a new tab)

Showing 15 of 15 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

California1161Texas802Florida758Georgia298Arizona296North Carolina208Illinois197New York184Maryland178Colorado162Nevada145Missouri140Minnesota125Utah125New Jersey103Pennsylvania102New Mexico101Virginia97South Carolina80Indiana73Massachusetts71Ohio70Tennessee68Mississippi67Oklahoma67Louisiana60Washington57Michigan46Iowa36West Virginia36Alabama35Oregon27Wisconsin22Delaware20Kentucky20Kansas19South Dakota16Connecticut15Vermont14Alaska12Rhode Island12Arkansas11District of Columbia11Idaho10New Hampshire8Nebraska5North Dakota5Wyoming2Puerto Rico1

All states

Alabama35Alaska12American SamoaArizona296Arkansas11California1161Colorado162Connecticut15Delaware20District of Columbia11Florida758Georgia298GuamHawaiiIdaho10Illinois197Indiana73Iowa36Kansas19Kentucky20Louisiana60MaineMaryland178Massachusetts71Michigan46Minnesota125Mississippi67Missouri140MontanaNebraska5Nevada145New Hampshire8New Jersey103New Mexico101New York184North Carolina208North Dakota5Northern Mariana IslandsOhio70Oklahoma67Oregon27Pennsylvania102Puerto Rico1Rhode Island12South Carolina80South Dakota16Tennessee68Texas802U.S. Virgin IslandsUtah125Vermont14Virginia97Washington57West Virginia36Wisconsin22Wyoming2

Browse by age

10 years & older205312 years & older76515 years & older118

Popular breeds waiting now

Pit Bull Terrier805Mixed Breed558Chihuahua547German Shepherd381Labrador Retriever349Terrier285Staffordshire Terrier182Boxer144Beagle130Dachshund125

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

Senior dog resources directoryFind a shelter or vet near youGet email alerts for new listingsOther ways to helpHappy endingsAbout Lily's Second Chance

Looking for a specific breed?

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