At Risk
BLANCO
Blanco is a strong, beautiful boy. He may appreciate slow introductions to men and new people in the home! He has been added to our Call to Action Lis…
Ventura County Animal Regulation • Camarillo, 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 1,081–1,110 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
Senior confirmed
Dustin
Dustin is a senior with the mind and personality of a puppy; always curious, happy, and hungry. This sweet senior would prefer to be the center of som…
Humane Society of Imperial Valley • El Centro, CA
Senior confirmed
Willow
Breed: Doberman Pinscher / Poodle (medium and standard) / German Shepherd / Golden Retriever / White Swiss Shepherd DOB: 12/2018 Gender: female Altere…
Canine Adoption and Rescue League • Ventura, CA
10+ years
Sadie
Meet Sadie – The Life of the Party, the Keeper of Smiles, and One of Our Sweetest Seniors Sadie is the kind of dog who instantly fills a home with war…
Rescue Ranch • Yreka, CA
10+ years
Rudy Gramps
Breed: Chihuahua X DOB: 7/2010 Gender: male Altered: yes Coat: medium Size: small Color(s): tan / white Description: Hi, I'm Rudy Gramps, a sweet seni…
Canine Adoption and Rescue League • Ventura, CA
10+ years
Bentley
Breed: Shih Tzu / Pomeranian X DOB: 12/2016 Gender: male Altered: yes Coat: medium Size: small Color(s): tawn/blond Description: ***Needs a Foster Hom…
Canine Adoption and Rescue League • Ventura, CA
Senior confirmed
Tramp
Meet Tramp – Your Ultimate Fetch Buddy! Tramp is on the lookout for a special home where he can shower his favorite person with love and spend endless…
Rescue Ranch • Yreka, CA
Senior confirmed
REIGN
REIGN is a small, senior male Labrador Retriever at Animal Protection League/SASF in Stockton, CA. Senior dogs make wonderful companions.
Animal Protection League/SASF • Stockton, CA
10+ years
Clarence
Clarence is a 12-year, 8-month-old male Terrier at The Brittany Foundation Animal Sanctuary in Acton, CA. Senior dogs make wonderful companions.
The Brittany Foundation Animal Sanctuary • Acton, CA
Senior confirmed
Finn
Breed: Cane Corso / Presa Canario X DOB: 10/2017 Gender: male Altered: yes Coat: medium Size: x-large Color(s): brown brindle / white Description: ***…
Canine Adoption and Rescue League • Ventura, CA
Senior confirmed
Shef
Breed: Pit Bull X DOB: 7/2017 Gender: male Altered: yes Coat: short Size: large Color(s): grey / white Description: ***Needs a Foster Home*** This dog…
Canine Adoption and Rescue League • Ventura, CA
At Risk
CARLY
Meet Carly – The Sweetest Siberian Husky Say hello to Carly, a 7.5-year-old Siberian Husky with a heart full of love and a smile that lights up the ro…
Melita's Dream Animal Rescue • Woodland Hills, CA
10+ years
Moe
Moe is a 14 years, 9 months old male Chihuahua at The Brittany Foundation Animal Sanctuary in Acton, CA. Senior dogs make wonderful companions.
The Brittany Foundation Animal Sanctuary • Acton, CA
Senior confirmed
Calvin
Meet Calvin! He is a one-of-a-kind pup with movie-star looks and a heart of gold. With his icy blue eyes and striking coat, Calvin turns heads everywh…
I.C.A.R.E. Dog Rescue • Corona, CA
Senior confirmed
Sunny
Sunny is a gentle soul with a heart full of love, waiting for her second chance at happiness. This Shepherd/Great Pyrenees mix is 7 years old, around …
I.C.A.R.E. Dog Rescue • Corona, CA
10+ years
McMuffin
Apply to adopt by clicking on the link below http://www.wagsandwhiskerspetrescue.com/adopt.html Thank you so much for looking into wags and whiskers f…
Wags and Whiskers Pet Rescue • Chico, CA
Senior confirmed
Bruce
Meet Bruce! Bruce is a courageous chihuahua mix who has overcome a challenging past and is ready to embark on a ew chapter of his life. He was rescued…
Our Underdog Rescue Squad • La Verne, CA
Senior confirmed
Gonzo
At 9 years young is this sweet thing, Gonzo. He’s a fun sized dog (around 27 lbs) and has the most easy-going demeanor. Take him out for a stroll or j…
Mutts in Need • Newport Beach, CA
Senior confirmed
Vera
Vera is a 9 years 1 month old female Chihuahua at The Brittany Foundation Animal Sanctuary in Acton, CA. Senior dogs make wonderful companions.
The Brittany Foundation Animal Sanctuary • Acton, CA
10+ years
Robby
The tale of Robby, a 10-year-old Boxer Mix, is a heart-wrenching illustration of how a dog can be considered homeless despite technically having an ow…
TLC K9 Rescue • Escondido, CA
Senior confirmed
Ruger
Breed: Husky/Shepherd X DOB: 11/2018 Gender: male Altered: yes Coat: medium Size: large Color(s): white / charcoal Description: ***Needs a Foster Home…
Canine Adoption and Rescue League • Ventura, CA
10+ years
Jax
Breed: Chihuahua X DOB: 1/2013 Gender: male Altered: yes Coat: medium Size: small Color(s): brown/white Description: Hi, I'm Jax, a shy Chihuahua X in…
Canine Adoption and Rescue League • Ventura, CA
Senior confirmed
Finn
This cutie with the underbite is Finn. Finn is an 8 year old Pug mix and weighs 18 pounds. He is just a big love. This little guy was an owner surrend…
Mutts in Need • Newport Beach, CA
Senior confirmed
Reba
Reba came into our care back in early March of this year from Brawley Animal Control. She was found tied to a fence, abandoned… Our staff has come to …
Humane Society of Imperial Valley • El Centro, CA
Senior confirmed
Elsa
>>> Elsa is: Sweet, playful, and enjoys people she knows & other dogs, and she's potty trained! >> FOR THE MOST CURRENT INFORMATION ABOUT ELSA, ALWAYS…
Camp Cocker Rescue • Sherman Oaks, CA
Senior confirmed
Maisie
Meet adoptable Maisie! Maisie is 5.5 years old and 85 pounds. She is a black lab mix. She is very affectionate, driven more by positive attention as o…
Love All Animals • Dana Point, CA
Senior confirmed
Tito #467
Hello! My name is Tito and I am 13-pound 10 year old male Bichon Frise mix. I'm a super sweet, chill kinda guy. I love car rides and to go bye-bye. I …
Bichon Rescue of Orange County • Placentia, CA
10+ years
Snoopy #469
Hello! My name is Snoopy and I am 13-pound male Bichon Frise mix. My foster mom says I'm wonderful. I am very social, I ove meeting new pups and peopl…
Bichon Rescue of Orange County • Placentia, CA
10+ years
Senior confirmed
Lucy Ann - Adopt Me!
Looking for unconditional love, daily walks, and endless belly rubs? Then I’m your girl — Lucy, born in 2018 and 55 lbs of loyal, loving companionship…
The Little Red Dog, Inc • Lake Forest, 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.