Senior confirmed
Red
Red is a female senior Shepherd, Australian at Humane Animal Partners in Wilmington, DE. Senior dogs make wonderful companions.
Humane Animal Partners • Wilmington, DE
Senior dogs in Delaware
Senior dogs for adoption in Delaware
Meet 23 adoptable senior dogs (age 7+) in Delaware. Each one is from a shelter or rescue and ready to give an older dog's quiet, grateful love.
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 Delaware 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 Delaware
10+ years
Sven
Meet Sven: The Distinguished Gentleman with the Legendary Eyebrows If wisdom came with a beard and eyebrows worthy of their own fan club, it would loo…
Faithful Friends Inc • Wilmington, DE
Senior confirmed
Tony
Meet Tony ! This gentle senior Pit Bull found his way to the shelter through no fault of his own after his family sadly lost their home. After years o…
Faithful Friends Inc • Wilmington, DE
Senior confirmed
Tessa
Hi… my name is Tessa. I’m a 7-year-old lovable little “mixed muffin,” and if you sat down next to me, I’d probably curl right up into you like I’ve kn…
Faithful Friends Inc • Wilmington, DE
Senior confirmed
Welches
Welches is a senior female Mixed Breed (Large) at Humane Animal Partners in Wilmington, DE. Senior dogs make wonderful companions.
Humane Animal Partners • Wilmington, DE
Senior confirmed
Senior confirmed
Hunter
Appears House Trained · Loves Toys · Active/High Energy · Cuddly · Adult-Only Home Preferred
Humane Animal Partners • Wilmington, DE
Senior confirmed
Jax
Active/High Energy · Appears House Trained · Cuddly · Loves Toys · May Do Well with Children · Dog Social
Humane Animal Partners • Wilmington, DE
Senior confirmed
Bear
Older Children Preferred · Appears House Trained · Only Animal Home
Humane Animal Partners • Wilmington, DE
Senior confirmed
Zeus
Appears House Trained · Appears Leash Trained · Medium Energy · Older Children Preferred
Humane Animal Partners • Wilmington, DE
Senior confirmed
Monte
Appears Crate Trained · Older Children Preferred · Active/High Energy · Loves Toys · Dog Social · Appears House Trained
Humane Animal Partners • Wilmington, DE
Senior confirmed
Sugar Cookie
Cuddly · Loves Toys · Medium Energy · Appears House Trained · No Small Animals · Appears Crate Trained · May Do Well with Children · Only Animal Home
Humane Animal Partners • Wilmington, DE
Senior confirmed
Lucky Lucio
Appears House Trained · Appears Leash Trained · May Do Well with Children · Medium Energy · Low Energy
Humane Animal Partners • Wilmington, DE
Senior confirmed
Rusty
Appears House Trained · Cuddly · Loves Toys · May Do Well with Children · No Small Animals · Only Animal Home · Single Dog Home · Appears Crate Traine…
Humane Animal Partners • Wilmington, DE
Senior confirmed
Big Jon
Big Jon is a senior male Plott Hound at Faithful Friends Inc in Wilmington, DE. Senior dogs make wonderful companions.
Faithful Friends Inc • Wilmington, DE
10+ years
Oreo
Oreo is a small, male senior dog of unknown breed with a short coat. He is located in Wilmington, DE at Faithful Friends Inc. Senior dogs make wonderf…
Faithful Friends Inc • Wilmington, DE
10+ years
Klaus
Klaus is a small male senior American Eskimo Dog / Pomeranian at Faithful Friends Inc in Wilmington, DE. Senior dogs make wonderful companions.
Faithful Friends Inc • Wilmington, DE
10+ years
Tinker
Tiny, Tilted, and Totally Perfect Tinker is a 15-year-old, 15-pound sweetheart with a built-in head tilt that makes her look like she’s always politel…
Faithful Friends Inc • Wilmington, DE
10+ years
Willow
Meet Willow Willow is a 10-year-young sweetheart who found herself at the shelter when her owners were no longer able to care for her. Now, this gentl…
Faithful Friends Inc • Wilmington, DE
10+ years
Senior confirmed
Arnie
Currently in a long-term foster home. Inquire to set up a meeting* Meet Arnie – Your Laid-Back Best Friend Arnie is an 8-year-old gentleman who wander…
Faithful Friends Inc • Wilmington, DE
10+ years
Ilene
Ilene is a sweet cavachon who is now a retired breeder. She has a wonderful personality and loves to cuddle. When arriving at our rescue we found her …
Whimsical Animal Rescue, Inc. of Sussex County Animal Association • Seaford, DE
Senior confirmed
Pre Adoption
If you do not see a dog on our site but would like to get pre approved for a puppy or a dog to come please go to allmuttsmatter.org and fill out an ad…
All Mutts Matter Foundation • Wilmington, DE
Senior dogs in Delaware by breed
Senior dogs in Delaware by city
Shelters & rescues with senior dogs in Delaware
These organizations currently have at least one adoptable senior dog listed on Lily's Second Chance.
- Humane Animal Partners — Wilmington, Delaware · See Humane Animal Partners’s senior dogs on Lily's Second Chance
- Faithful Friends Inc — Wilmington, Delaware · See Faithful Friends Inc’s senior dogs on Lily's Second Chance
- All Mutts Matter Foundation — Wilmington, Delaware · See All Mutts Matter Foundation’s senior dogs on Lily's Second Chance
- Whimsical Animal Rescue, Inc. of Sussex County Animal Association — Seaford, Delaware · See Whimsical Animal Rescue, Inc. of Sussex County Animal Association’s senior dogs on Lily's Second Chance
Senior dogs in other states
Adopting a senior dog in Delaware — 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 Delaware?
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 Delaware?
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 Delaware?
Yes. Most shelters and rescues in Delaware welcome adopters from anywhere in the state, and some can arrange transport within Delaware 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 Delaware?
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 Delaware instead of adopting?
Many shelters and rescues in Delaware 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 Delaware 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 Delaware who needs a home?
Shelters and rescues can list adoptable senior dogs for free.