10+ years
Mooshu
Meet Mooshu, a 15-pound bundle of love who is ready for his true second chance. At 5 years old, Mooshu’s story started with a scary stay at a high-pre…
Mutts in Need • Newport Beach, CA
Senior dogs in California
Senior dogs for adoption in California
Meet 1199 adoptable senior dogs (age 7+) in California. Each one is from a shelter or rescue and ready to give an older dog's quiet, grateful love. Showing 421–450 of 1,199 below.
Last updated July 12, 2026 at 9:30 AM EDT. Listings refresh automatically, usually every 12 hours.
Senior dogs — age 7 and up — wait far longer for homes than puppies, even though they're usually already house-trained, past the chewing stage, and happy to nap at your feet. Adopting an older dog in California means you typically know their size, temperament, and energy level from day one: fewer surprises, and a grateful companion who settles in fast. Always confirm availability and adoption requirements directly with the shelter or rescue.
Available senior dogs in California
10+ years
Rosalia
Rosalia – Gentle, Loving, and Devoted Rosalia is a 5-year-old Doberman Pinscher mama weighing about 57 pounds. While she can be timid and hesitant whe…
Oakland Animal Services • Oakland, CA
Senior confirmed
PIGLET
Piglet is an 8-year-old blind pug with the gentlest soul and the sweetest heart. After spending the last couple of weeks in a loving foster home, his …
Burbank Animal Shelter • Burbank, CA
Senior confirmed
CHOWDER
Excited to find your new family member at Wags and Whiskers? Our pets are vaccinated, microchipped, and spayed/neutered. Many come from unknown backgr…
Wags and Whiskers Pet Rescue • Chico, CA
10+ years
Wombat
Wombat is a handsome Malinois mix, 4 years old and 69 pounds. He’s just as sensitive as he is sweet. Shelter life has been a bit overwhelming for him …
Oakland Animal Services • Oakland, CA
Senior confirmed
BELLA
BELLA is a senior female Rottweiler (large) at Los Angeles County Animal Control - Carson in Gardena, CA. Senior dogs make wonderful companions.
Los Angeles County Animal Control - Carson • Gardena, CA
Senior confirmed
ARROW
ARROW is a male Siberian Husky, a medium-sized senior in Baldwin Park, CA. He is at Los Angeles County Animal Control - Baldwin Park. Senior dogs make…
Los Angeles County Animal Control - Baldwin Park • Baldwin Park, CA
Senior confirmed
SNAP
SNAP is a male senior Pit Bull Terrier, medium size, at South Los Angeles Animal Care and Control Center in Los Angeles, CA. Senior dogs make wonderfu…
South Los Angeles Animal Care and Control Center • Los Angeles, CA
Senior confirmed
Ziva
Don’t let her age fool you—this little lady is 10 pounds of pure love and still has plenty of sparkle left! At 7 years old, she’s the perfect mix of m…
Friends of Orange County's Homeless Pets • Menifee, CA
Senior confirmed
Lindsey
Lindsey – Smart, Engaging, and Ready to Have Fun Lindsey is a 4-year-old German Shepherd Dog weighing about 50 pounds. She’s an attentive, people-focu…
Oakland Animal Services • Oakland, CA
Senior confirmed
WOODIE
WOODIE is a senior male German Shepherd Dog / Pug, medium-sized, at Coastal Animal Services Authority in San Clemente, CA. Senior dogs make wonderful …
Coastal Animal Services Authority • San Clemente, CA
10+ years
Beatrix and Remy
Beatrix and Remy were adopted from us years ago. Their family was forced to move somewhere pets aren't allowed and these two were returned to our resc…
Domino Effect Animal Rescue • Temecula, CA
Senior confirmed
Goldie
After her owner was found passed away, Goldie survived over a week without food or water before being rescued. Despite this trauma, her spirit remains…
Mutts in Need • Newport Beach, CA
10+ years
Billy
Meet Billy, a 60lb bundle of snowy-white joy ready to be your ultimate wingman! At 3 years old, this handsome Shepherd mix is the perfect blend of act…
Three Eye Blind Animal Rescue • ROSEVILLE, CA
Senior confirmed
Jello
If you’ve been following Jello’s journey since we first posted her weeks ago, you know she arrived heavily pregnant and in urgent need of a safe place…
Mutts in Need • Newport Beach, CA
Senior confirmed
SQUIRREL
SQUIRREL is a female senior German Shepherd Dog in Modesto, CA at Stanislaus County Animal Services. Senior dogs make wonderful companions.
Stanislaus County Animal Services • Modesto, CA
10+ years
Lana
Lana is a senior gal looking for a cozy place to land. She looks forward to becoming a lap dog and joining her person on slow, easy walks. Lana is low…
Grateful Dogs Rescue • San Francisco, CA
10+ years
Paco
This handsome little man is Paco. He was found looking for food at a local Mexican restaurant in Rancho Cucamonga and the person who found him, named …
Mutts in Need • Newport Beach, CA
Senior confirmed
RANGO
RANGO is a large male Pit Bull Terrier listed as a senior at Riverside County Animal Control - Coachella Shelter in Thousand Palms, CA. Senior dogs ma…
Riverside County Animal Control - Coachella Shelter • Thousand Palms, CA
Senior confirmed
BUDDY
BUDDY is a large male Pit Bull Terrier, an adult (senior) at Stanislaus County Animal Services in Modesto, CA. Senior dogs make wonderful companions.
Stanislaus County Animal Services • Modesto, CA
10+ years
10+ years
Kevin
Meet Kevin! A 3 year old Maltese mix weighing about 10 pounds. He has the face only a mother would love with his intense underbite. This little dude h…
Mutts in Need • Newport Beach, CA
10+ years
Royal
Royal is ready for you to roll the red carpets out for her. This precious girl is only around 25 lbs, about 2 years old, and we believe she is a mix o…
California Labradors Retrievers and More Rescue • San Diego, CA
Senior confirmed
Jolene
Meet Jolene, a 30-pound powerhouse who proves that the best things come in spirited, medium-sized packages. At just 2 years old, Jolene was found as a…
Mutts in Need • Newport Beach, CA
10+ years
Dudley-Special Needs - Adopt Me!
He might not hear you, he may not see you, he may be missing all his teeth… but Dudley is single and ready to mingle Our sweet, special boy Dudley is …
The Little Red Dog, Inc • Lake Forest, CA
Senior confirmed
Gus
Gus IS AVAILABLE (updated 06-27-2026). To meet any of our dogs, complete our online adoption application on our website: http://www.coastalgsr.org/dog…
Coastal German Shepherd Rescue • Irvine, CA
10+ years
Little Boy *courtesy post
Meet Little Boy! This sweet 4-year-old, 15 lb pup has been through a lot but hasn’t lost his loving spirit. He came to us after being hit by a car and…
Mutts in Need • Newport Beach, CA
10+ years
Skeeter
Check out my video! So please to meet you, my name is Skeeter! I'm a neutered male, 2-year-old, Pit Bull mix that is currently about 70lbs. I'm a very…
Peninsula Humane Society & SPCA • Burlingame, CA
10+ years
Dahlia
Hello there, I'm Dahlia! I'm a spayed female, 2-year-old, Pitbull/ German Shepherd mix that currently weighs about 52lbs. I'm a sweet, curious lady th…
Peninsula Humane Society & SPCA • Burlingame, CA
10+ years
Sammy
Sammy is a 4 yr old, male chihuahua removed from a neglect situation. He loves kind attention and a loving, caring environment. He likes other dogs on…
Love All Animals • Dana Point, CA
Senior dogs in California by breed
Senior dogs in California by city
Shelters & rescues with senior dogs in California
These organizations currently have at least one adoptable senior dog listed on Lily's Second Chance.
- Ventura County Animal Regulation — Camarillo, California · See Ventura County Animal Regulation’s senior dogs on Lily's Second Chance
- South Los Angeles Animal Care and Control Center — Los Angeles, California · See South Los Angeles Animal Care and Control Center’s senior dogs on Lily's Second Chance
- Riverside County Animal Control - Riverside Shelter — Riverside, California · See Riverside County Animal Control - Riverside Shelter’s senior dogs on Lily's Second Chance
- Los Angeles County Animal Control - Baldwin Park — Baldwin Park, California · See Los Angeles County Animal Control - Baldwin Park’s senior dogs on Lily's Second Chance
- Los Angeles County Animal Control - Downey — Downey, California · See Los Angeles County Animal Control - Downey’s senior dogs on Lily's Second Chance
- Los Angeles County Animal Control - Lancaster — Lancaster, California · See Los Angeles County Animal Control - Lancaster’s senior dogs on Lily's Second Chance
- United Hope for Animals — Pasadena, California · See United Hope for Animals’s senior dogs on Lily's Second Chance
- North Central Animal Care and Control — Los Angeles, California · See North Central Animal Care and Control’s senior dogs on Lily's Second Chance
- Orange County Animal Care Center — Orange, California · See Orange County Animal Care Center’s senior dogs on Lily's Second Chance
- San Bernardino City Animal Control — San Bernardino, California · See San Bernardino City Animal Control’s senior dogs on Lily's Second Chance
- Canine Adoption and Rescue League — Santa Paula, California · See Canine Adoption and Rescue League’s senior dogs on Lily's Second Chance
- Kern Co Animal Control Dept - Bakersfield — Bakersfield, California · See Kern Co Animal Control Dept - Bakersfield’s senior dogs on Lily's Second Chance
- West Valley Animal Care and Control Center — Chatsworth, California · See West Valley Animal Care and Control Center’s senior dogs on Lily's Second Chance
- East Valley Animal Care and Control Center — Van Nuys, California · See East Valley Animal Care and Control Center’s senior dogs on Lily's Second Chance
- Riverside County Animal Control - Coachella Shelter — Thousand Palms, California · See Riverside County Animal Control - Coachella Shelter’s senior dogs on Lily's Second Chance
- Contra Costa Animal Services — Martinez, California · See Contra Costa Animal Services’s senior dogs on Lily's Second Chance
- Harbor Animal Care and Control Center — San Pedro, California · See Harbor Animal Care and Control Center’s senior dogs on Lily's Second Chance
- Los Angeles County Animal Control - Carson — Gardena, California · See Los Angeles County Animal Control - Carson’s senior dogs on Lily's Second Chance
- Mutts in Need — Newport Beach, California · See Mutts in Need’s senior dogs on Lily's Second Chance
- Oakland Animal Services — Oakland, California · See Oakland Animal Services’s senior dogs on Lily's Second Chance
- Pasadena Humane — Pasadena, California · See Pasadena Humane’s senior dogs on Lily's Second Chance
- Stanislaus County Animal Services — Modesto, California · See Stanislaus County Animal Services’s senior dogs on Lily's Second Chance
- Moreno Valley Animal Shelter — Moreno Valley, California · See Moreno Valley Animal Shelter’s senior dogs on Lily's Second Chance
- Wags and Whiskers Pet Rescue — Chico, California · See Wags and Whiskers Pet Rescue’s senior dogs on Lily's Second Chance
Senior dogs in other states
Adopting a senior dog in California — 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 adopt a senior dog in California?
Open any dog's profile to see which shelter or rescue is caring for them, then use the adoption link or contact details to apply directly with that organization. Lily's Second Chance gathers senior dogs in one place so they're easier to find — the adoption itself happens through the local group.
How much does it cost to adopt a senior dog in California?
Adoption fees vary by organization, but senior dogs are frequently discounted or sponsored because they wait the longest. Many rescues also begin any needed medical care before adoption. The dog's profile or the shelter can confirm the current fee.
Are senior dogs harder to care for?
Usually not. Older dogs are typically calmer and already trained, which makes the first weeks far easier than with a puppy. Some have age-related needs like a special diet or joint support, and the listing or shelter will tell you what to expect.
Can I adopt a senior dog from another city in California?
Yes. Most shelters and rescues in California welcome adopters from anywhere in the state, and some can arrange transport within California for the right match. Open a dog's profile to see the organization's contact details and ask them directly how their process works.
What should I expect in the first weeks after adopting a senior dog in California?
Senior dogs usually settle in faster than puppies because they're already past the most demanding stage. Expect a brief adjustment period — they may be shy at first, then relax into their personality. A consistent routine, a comfortable spot to rest, and patience are usually all it takes.
Can I foster a senior dog in California instead of adopting?
Many shelters and rescues in California offer foster programs — sometimes with a foster-to-adopt path so you can try the match before committing. Fostering is especially valuable for senior dogs because it gets them out of a kennel and into a calm home while they wait for their forever family. Ask the organization on any dog's profile whether fostering is available.
Are senior dogs good with children or other pets in a California home?
Many senior dogs are calm, gentle, and well-suited to family life — but it depends on the individual dog more than anything else. The shelter or rescue caring for each dog can tell you their specific history with children, cats, and other dogs before you apply. Many organizations offer meet-and-greets to make sure the match is right for everyone.
Know a senior dog in California who needs a home?
Shelters and rescues can list adoptable senior dogs for free.