Senior confirmed
NALA
Animal Rescue League of Boston - Pine Ridge Animal Shelter • Dedham, MA
Senior dogs in Massachusetts
Senior dogs for adoption in Massachusetts
Meet 72 adoptable senior dogs (age 7+) in Massachusetts. Each one is from a shelter or rescue and ready to give an older dog's quiet, grateful love. Showing 1–30 of 72 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 Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts
Senior confirmed
PHOENIX
My adoption fee has been paid for by a generous donor! Say hello to the fiery Phoenix! This sweet older girl loves to play with dog friends, cuddling …
MSPCA - Cape Cod Animal Care and Adoption Center • Centerville, MA
10+ years
SUNDAE
Meet Sundae! Sundae is a sweet older lady looking for a quiet, retirement home! She can be worried meeting new people and is looking for a home that w…
MSPCA - Boston Animal Care and Adoption Center • Boston, MA
Senior confirmed
Senior confirmed
VELVET
OTHER PETS: Velvet didn't show much interest in greeting or playing with other dogs, but she was relaxed around them. She would likely do well in a ho…
Thomas J. O'Connor Animal Control and Adoption Center • Springfield, MA
Senior confirmed
MANCHEGO
MANCHEGO is a medium-sized senior female Poodle (Miniature) / Portuguese Water Dog located in Boston, MA. She is at the Animal Rescue League of Boston…
Animal Rescue League of Boston - Headquarters • Boston, MA
Senior confirmed
FONTINA
FONTINA is a senior female Poodle (Miniature) / Portuguese Water Dog, medium-sized, located in Boston, MA at the Animal Rescue League of Boston - Head…
Animal Rescue League of Boston - Headquarters • Boston, MA
10+ years
LILI
LILI is a senior female Yorkshire Terrier (Yorkie), a small dog at MSPCA - Boston Animal Care and Adoption Center in Boston, MA. Senior dogs make wond…
MSPCA - Boston Animal Care and Adoption Center • Boston, MA
Senior confirmed
RUBY
MEET RUBY! This gorgeou gal is Ruby, a lab mix who is ready to make herself right at home with you! Ruby is a friendly, affectionate dog who is happy …
Animal Rescue League of Boston - Pine Ridge Animal Shelter • Dedham, MA
10+ years
Red
Red is approximately 1 year old un-altered male. He is very happy and content when he is around his people. He loves to play and bounce around with ot…
As Sweet As A Peach Animal Rescue Inc • FRAMINGHAM, MA
Senior confirmed
Maya
Meet Maya! A serene eight-and-a-half-year-old brindle-coated sweetheart currently living in Doylestown, PA, whose quiet presence is like a soft blanke…
Joyful Pets Animal Rescue • Amherst, MA
10+ years
Kalle
Meet Kalle! A thoughtful twelve-and-a-half-year-old mixed-breed beauty currently living Doylestown, PA, whose striking white and black coat is just as…
Joyful Pets Animal Rescue • Amherst, MA
10+ years
Kalle and Maya
Meet Kalle and Maya! A lovable pair currently living in Doylestown, PA. Kalle, a wise and spunky twelve-year-old white-and-black mixed breed, and Maya…
Joyful Pets Animal Rescue • Amherst, MA
Senior confirmed
Summer
Meet Summer Name: SummerAge: 5 yearsGender: FemaleBreed:pit bill / Blue Heeler mixWeight: 62 poundsColor: Black with white and black spots on her ches…
As Sweet As A Peach Animal Rescue Inc • FRAMINGHAM, MA
10+ years
Ripley
Dogs Name: Ripley Age: 4-5 yearsBreed: Catahoula crossCurrent size: 53Size potential: full grownLeash trained: yesCrate Trained: yesPotty trained: yes…
As Sweet As A Peach Animal Rescue Inc • FRAMINGHAM, MA
Senior confirmed
Jax
Meet Jax! An eight-year-old Boxer mix from San Mateo, CA, whose tan coat shines almost as brightly as his personality! Weighing in at a solid 70 pound…
Joyful Pets Animal Rescue • Amherst, MA
Senior confirmed
MAX
Meet Max! This older gentleman loves living life in the slow lane and is looking for a nice couch to be a potato on. Max was diagnosed with Cushing's …
MSPCA - Boston Animal Care and Adoption Center • Boston, MA
10+ years
COSH
Cosh is a sensitive, senior guy who is looking for a home of his own. He is a pretty chill guy who enjoys a leisurely walk around the neighborhood and…
MSPCA - Boston Animal Care and Adoption Center • Boston, MA
10+ years
OZZIE
Ozzie is an independent, senior fella who is ready to find a home of his home. He can be a sensitive boy who takes time for his personality to shine. …
MSPCA - Boston Animal Care and Adoption Center • Boston, MA
Senior confirmed
BAILEY
Meet Bailey! This sweet senior lady is looking for a quiet place to call home! She enjoys a leisurely stroll and then cuddling up in your lap for a sn…
MSPCA - Boston Animal Care and Adoption Center • Boston, MA
Senior confirmed
DOLLY
Say hello to Dolly! She's doing well and even though she has a few years under her belt she's still glowin', still crowin', still goin' strong. She wi…
Thomas J. O'Connor Animal Control and Adoption Center • Springfield, MA
Senior confirmed
STUART
STUART is a senior male Chihuahua of medium size at the Animal Rescue League of Boston - Pine Ridge Animal Shelter in Dedham, MA. Senior dogs make won…
Animal Rescue League of Boston - Pine Ridge Animal Shelter • Dedham, MA
Senior confirmed
Henry
Meet Henry! An eight-year-old Goldendoodle currently in Villa Rica, GA, whose essence is a heartwarming blend of goofy charm wrapped in a lightly gold…
Joyful Pets Animal Rescue • Amherst, MA
10+ years
Scooby & Pepper
Bonded Duo Looking for Their Forever Home ❤️ Scooby and his brother, Pepper, are searching for a forever home where they can stay together. At 12 year…
Paw-Affection Dachshund Rescue, Inc. • Taunton, MA
10+ years
Pepper & Scooby
Bonded Duo Looking for Their Forever Home ❤️ Pepper and his brother, Scooby, are searching for a forever home where they can stay together. At 12 year…
Paw-Affection Dachshund Rescue, Inc. • Taunton, MA
Senior confirmed
Darby
Meet Darby! A spirited seven-and-a-half-year-old Border Collie currently in Memphis, TN, whose joyful personality shines as brightly as his handsome t…
Joyful Pets Animal Rescue • Amherst, MA
10+ years
ROMEO
Where for art thou, Romeo? He’s right here, waiting for his true love! This older prince is a little shy at first, but warms up quickly and is happy t…
MSPCA - Boston Animal Care and Adoption Center • Boston, MA
Senior confirmed
ECHO
Introducing Echo!! Don't let her age fool you--this old gal still has a lot to offer! Echo loves going for walks and even loves to swim! She is the bs…
MSPCA - Boston Animal Care and Adoption Center • Boston, MA
Senior confirmed
ANNIE
Meet Annie! Annie is a shy lady searching for a special family. She is a self-proclaimed `homebody` and is looking for adopters who will embrace that.…
MSPCA - Boston Animal Care and Adoption Center • Boston, MA
Senior confirmed
LUCKY
MEET Lucky! Lucky is a sweet but nervous girl who wants to have a human companion to spend her time with. She is friendly once she warms up to a perso…
Animal Rescue League of Boston - Headquarters • Boston, MA
Senior dogs in Massachusetts by breed
Senior dogs in Massachusetts by city
Shelters & rescues with senior dogs in Massachusetts
These organizations currently have at least one adoptable senior dog listed on Lily's Second Chance.
- Joyful Pets Animal Rescue — Amherst, Massachusetts · See Joyful Pets Animal Rescue’s senior dogs on Lily's Second Chance
- MSPCA - Boston Animal Care and Adoption Center — Boston, Massachusetts · See MSPCA - Boston Animal Care and Adoption Center’s senior dogs on Lily's Second Chance
- Thomas J. O'Connor Animal Control and Adoption Center — Springfield, Massachusetts · See Thomas J. O'Connor Animal Control and Adoption Center’s senior dogs on Lily's Second Chance
- Crops and Flops Rescue, Inc. — Westminster, Massachusetts · See Crops and Flops Rescue, Inc.’s senior dogs on Lily's Second Chance
- Animal Rescue League of Boston - Headquarters — Boston, Massachusetts · See Animal Rescue League of Boston - Headquarters’s senior dogs on Lily's Second Chance
- Animal Rescue League of Boston - Pine Ridge Animal Shelter — Dedham, Massachusetts · See Animal Rescue League of Boston - Pine Ridge Animal Shelter’s senior dogs on Lily's Second Chance
- As Sweet As A Peach Animal Rescue Inc — FRAMINGHAM, Massachusetts · See As Sweet As A Peach Animal Rescue Inc’s senior dogs on Lily's Second Chance
- MSPCA - Cape Cod Animal Care and Adoption Center — Centerville, Massachusetts · See MSPCA - Cape Cod Animal Care and Adoption Center’s senior dogs on Lily's Second Chance
- Pug Rescue of New England — Somerville, Massachusetts · See Pug Rescue of New England’s senior dogs on Lily's Second Chance
- Paw-Affection Dachshund Rescue, Inc. — Taunton, Massachusetts · See Paw-Affection Dachshund Rescue, Inc.’s senior dogs on Lily's Second Chance
- Dakin Humane Society — Springfield, Massachusetts · See Dakin Humane Society’s senior dogs on Lily's Second Chance
Senior dogs in other states
Adopting a senior dog in Massachusetts — 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 Massachusetts?
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 Massachusetts?
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 Massachusetts?
Yes. Most shelters and rescues in Massachusetts welcome adopters from anywhere in the state, and some can arrange transport within Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts?
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 Massachusetts instead of adopting?
Many shelters and rescues in Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts who needs a home?
Shelters and rescues can list adoptable senior dogs for free.