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 361–390 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
Pleasanton, adoptable senior German Shepherd Dog in Oakland, CA

Pleasanton

German Shepherd Dog • ♀ Female • Large • 9 years

Pleasanton – Gentle, Sweet, and Ready for a Fresh Start Pleasanton is a 5-year-old German Shepherd mix weighing 54 pounds with a calm, affectionate pe…

Oakland Animal Services • Oakland, CA

Senior confirmed
SPRUCE, adoptable senior Siberian Husky in Placerville, CA

SPRUCE

Siberian Husky • ♂ Male • Large • 7 years

Meet Spruce! Spruce is a 7-year-old neutered male Husky who came to us from the Sacramento SPCA—and it didn’t take long for staff to fall in love with…

El Dorado County Animal Services - Placerville • Placerville, CA

10+ years
BROWNIE, adoptable senior German Shepherd Dog in Thousand Palms, CA

BROWNIE

German Shepherd Dog • ♀ Female • Medium • 11 years

BROWNIE is a female, medium German Shepherd Dog, listed as a senior at Riverside County Animal Control - Coachella Shelter in Thousand Palms, CA. Seni…

Riverside County Animal Control - Coachella Shelter • Thousand Palms, CA

Senior confirmed
OSO, adoptable senior Maltese in Los Angeles, CA

OSO

Maltese • ♂ Male • Small • 9 years

OSO is a senior male Maltese, small in size, currently at West Los Angeles Animal Care and Control Center in Los Angeles, CA. Senior dogs make wonderf…

West Los Angeles Animal Care and Control Center • Los Angeles, CA

10+ years
Prada, adoptable senior Shepherd in San Diego, CA

Prada

Shepherd • ♀ Female • Medium • 10 years

Meet Prada! Prada is a lovely and spirited girl around 2 years old. She came to us pregnant and delivered her puppies not long after she arrived. She …

California Labradors Retrievers and More Rescue • San Diego, CA

10+ years
MIA, adoptable senior Chihuahua in South Lake Tahoe, CA

MIA

Chihuahua • ♀ Female • Small • 10 years

MIA is a senior female Chihuahua, small, located in South Lake Tahoe, CA, at El Dorado County Animal Services - South Lake Tahoe. Senior dogs make won…

El Dorado County Animal Services - South Lake Tahoe • South Lake Tahoe, CA

10+ years
BELLA, adoptable senior Chihuahua in South Lake Tahoe, CA

BELLA

Chihuahua • ♀ Female • Small • 10 years

BELLA is a senior female Chihuahua. She is small and located at El Dorado County Animal Services - South Lake Tahoe in South Lake Tahoe, CA. Senior do…

El Dorado County Animal Services - South Lake Tahoe • South Lake Tahoe, CA

Senior confirmed
CHARLIE, adoptable senior Belgian Shepherd Malinois in San Bernardino, CA

CHARLIE

Belgian Shepherd Malinois • ♂ Male • Medium • 7 years

CHARLIE is a senior male Belgian Shepherd Malinois, medium size, at San Bernardino City Animal Control in San Bernardino, CA. Senior dogs make wonderf…

San Bernardino City Animal Control • San Bernardino, CA

Senior confirmed
Winston, adoptable senior Yorkshire Terrier Yorkie in San Diego, CA

Winston

Yorkshire Terrier Yorkie • ♂ Male • Small • 9 years

Meet Winston! Winston is a 9-year-old, approximately 12 lb Yorkie with the looks and spirit of a dog half his age. Winston loves to play and is always…

Second Chance Dog Rescue • San Diego, CA

Senior confirmed
LUCKY, adoptable senior German Shepherd Dog in Martinez, CA

LUCKY

German Shepherd Dog • ♂ Male • Large • 7 years

Lucky is a gentle, thoughtful dog who may be a little shy at first, but gains confidence as he gets to know new people and surroundings. He has shown …

Contra Costa Animal Services • Martinez, CA

Senior confirmed
Marco, adoptable senior Jack Russell Terrier in Dana Point, CA

Marco

Jack Russell Terrier • ♂ Male • Small • 8 years

Meet Marco! Marco is a handsome 1-year-old Jack Russell Terrier mix weighing 17 pounds, and he’s the perfect combination of affectionate, friendly, an…

Love All Animals • Dana Point, CA

10+ years
CARMEL, adoptable senior Chihuahua in Thousand Palms, CA

CARMEL

Chihuahua • ♀ Female • Small • 10 years

CARMEL is a female senior Chihuahua, small in size, at Riverside County Animal Control - Coachella Shelter in Thousand Palms, CA. Senior dogs make won…

Riverside County Animal Control - Coachella Shelter • Thousand Palms, CA

10+ years
Equilibrium, adoptable senior Pit Bull Terrier in Elk Grove, CA

Equilibrium

Pit Bull Terrier • ♂ Male • Large • 10 years

Meet Equilibrium! Libby for short. He's a 3 year old gentle giant who just needs a little guidance. He's a little goofy and aloof, but listens well an…

City of Elk Grove Animal Services • Elk Grove, CA

10+ years
Wohali - Adoption In Process!, adoptable senior Great Pyrenees in San Diego, CA

Wohali - Adoption In Process!

Great Pyrenees • ♀ Female • X-Large • 10 years

Meet Wohali! She is about 1.5 years old and a beautiful white Great Pyrenees. She came to us with her equally adorable puppies, but she is ready to pu…

California Labradors Retrievers and More Rescue • San Diego, CA

10+ years
TEDDY, adoptable senior Yorkshire Terrier Yorkie in Corona, CA

TEDDY

Yorkshire Terrier Yorkie • ♂ Male • Small • 10 years

TEDDY is a small senior male Yorkshire Terrier (Yorkie) currently at Corona Animal Services in Corona, CA. Senior dogs make wonderful companions.

Corona Animal Services • Corona, CA

10+ years
ANDREW, adoptable senior Maltese in Los Angeles, CA

ANDREW

Maltese • ♂ Male • Medium • 12 years

ANDREW is a senior male Maltese, medium size, located in Los Angeles, CA at the South Los Angeles Animal Care and Control Center. Senior dogs make won…

South Los Angeles Animal Care and Control Center • Los Angeles, CA

Senior confirmed
BRICK, adoptable senior Labrador Retriever in Bakersfield, CA

BRICK

Labrador Retriever • ♂ Male • Large • 8 years

BRICK is a large, senior male Labrador Retriever at Kern Co Animal Control Dept - Bakersfield in Bakersfield, CA. Senior dogs make wonderful companion…

Kern Co Animal Control Dept - Bakersfield • Bakersfield, CA

10+ years
CHUBBY, adoptable senior Pit Bull Terrier in Fairfield, CA

CHUBBY

Pit Bull Terrier • ♂ Male • Large • 12 years

Meet Chubby! At 12 years old, Chubby has earned every gray hair, every nap, and every bit of wisdom that comes with being a distinguished senior gentl…

Solano County Sheriff's Office Animal Care Division • Fairfield, CA

Senior confirmed
BETTY MAE, adoptable senior German Shepherd Dog in Riverside, CA

BETTY MAE

German Shepherd Dog • ♀ Female • Medium • 7 years

BETTY MAE is a senior female German Shepherd Dog, medium size, located at Riverside County Animal Control - Riverside Shelter in Riverside, CA. Senior…

Riverside County Animal Control - Riverside Shelter • Riverside, CA

10+ years
Lynne, adoptable senior Shepherd in San Diego, CA

Lynne

Shepherd • ♀ Female • Large • 10 years

Meet Lynne! This spunky and spirited girl is around 2 years old and we believe she is a Shepherd and Lab mix. She is fun, playful and athletic. She wi…

California Labradors Retrievers and More Rescue • San Diego, CA

Senior confirmed
BEAR, adoptable senior German Shepherd Dog in Sacramento, CA

BEAR

German Shepherd Dog • ♂ Male • Medium • 8 years

Part-Time Retriever, Full-Time CharmerMeet Bear, a lovable goofball with a big heart and an even bigger love for tennis balls! He enjoys playing fetch…

Sacramento County Animal Care and Regulation • Sacramento, CA

10+ years
GUAPO, adoptable senior Border Collie in Lake Isabella, CA

GUAPO

Border Collie • ♂ Male • Medium • 12 years

GUAPO is a male Border Collie, a medium-sized senior located at Kern River Valley Shelter in Lake Isabella, CA. Senior dogs make wonderful companions.

Kern River Valley Shelter • Lake Isabella, CA

Senior confirmed
TOBY, adoptable senior Terrier in Baldwin Park, CA

TOBY

Terrier • ♂ Male • Medium • 7 years

TOBY is a senior male Terrier/Chihuahua, medium size, located in Baldwin Park, CA. He is at Los Angeles County Animal Control - Baldwin Park, and seni…

Los Angeles County Animal Control - Baldwin Park • Baldwin Park, CA

10+ years
WILLOW, adoptable senior American Pit Bull Terrier in Pasadena, CA

WILLOW

American Pit Bull Terrier • ♀ Female • 10 years

#A5775947 Willow Meet Willow! Willow is a stunning 2-year-old spayed female American Pitbull Terrier, weighing 47 lbs with a beautiful, shiny grey coa…

United Hope for Animals • Pasadena, CA

10+ years
CINNAMON, adoptable senior Pit Bull Terrier in Pasadena, CA

CINNAMON

Pit Bull Terrier • ♀ Female • 10 years

#A5775740 Cinnamon Meet Cinnamon! Cinnamon is a sweet 3-year-old spayed female American Pitbull Terrier mix, weighing 53.4 lbs with a beautiful white …

United Hope for Animals • Pasadena, CA

Senior confirmed
MORGAN, adoptable senior Pit Bull Terrier in San Jose, CA

MORGAN

Pit Bull Terrier • ♂ Male • Large • 9 years

06/03/26 11:01Meet Morgan — a friendly senior looking for his next adventure. Morgan is a 9-year-old Pit Bull who arrived at the shelter with a histor…

San Jose Animal Care Center • San Jose, CA

10+ years
RAM, adoptable senior Belgian Shepherd Malinois in Pasadena, CA

RAM

Belgian Shepherd Malinois • ♂ Male • 10 years

#A5766338 Meet Ram , a 4-year-old Belgian Malinois with a stunning velvety black coat just made for cuddles. While he may seem a bit over-the-top in h…

United Hope for Animals • Pasadena, CA

10+ years
ZOE, adoptable senior American Bulldog in Baldwin Park, CA

ZOE

American Bulldog • ♀ Female • Medium • 11 years

ZOE is a senior female American Bulldog, medium size, located at Los Angeles County Animal Control - Baldwin Park in Baldwin Park, CA. Senior dogs mak…

Los Angeles County Animal Control - Baldwin Park • Baldwin Park, CA

10+ years
Maui, adoptable senior Pug in San Diego, CA

Maui

Pug • ♀ Female • Small • 10 years

Foster or forever home wanted, meet Maui. Maui is why we have a "friends" division here at Labradors and Friends. We saw a plea from the shelter for a…

Labradors and Friends Dog Rescue Group • San Diego, 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.

Senior dogs in other states

All statesBrowse by breed

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.