Senior confirmed
LINCOLIN
LINCOLIN is a senior male Miniature Poodle, size listed as large, at the Animal Welfare League of Illinois - Chicago Ridge in Chicago Ridge, IL. Senio…
Animal Welfare League of Illinois - Chicago Ridge • Chicago Ridge, IL
Senior dogs in Illinois
Senior dogs for adoption in Illinois
Meet 146 adoptable senior dogs (age 7+) in Illinois. Each one is from a shelter or rescue and ready to give an older dog's quiet, grateful love. Showing 121–146 of 146 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 Illinois 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 Illinois
Senior confirmed
LOW TIDE
LOW TIDE is a female senior Pit Bull Terrier, large, at Peoria Animal Welfare Shelter in Peoria, IL. Senior dogs make wonderful companions.
Peoria Animal Welfare Shelter • Peoria, IL
Senior confirmed
Schnapps
Meet Schnapps, a 7 year old German Shepherd weighing in at 100 pounds! He is looking for his furever home after being picked up as a stray. Schnapps i…
German Shepherd Rescue INC • SKOKIE, IL
10+ years
Senior confirmed
Blue
Blue and Skeeter are wonderful eager to please velcro dogs. They would love nothing more than to spend the day curled up next to you or out exploring …
Dogs are Deserving • Crete, IL
Senior confirmed
Skeeter
Blue and Skeeter are wonderful eager to please velcro dogs. They would love nothing more than to spend the day curled up next to you or out exploring …
Dogs are Deserving • Crete, IL
Senior confirmed
Weezer
Meet Weezer, a 7-year-young French Bulldog with a big personality and an even bigger heart! This adorable little guy is searching for a furever home w…
REACH Rescue, Inc • Mundelein, IL
10+ years
Dorothy
Dorothy is a 12 year old, 11 lb very sweet, quiet and calm chiweenie who came to us in an emaciated state. She has gained weight, but is still a very …
Wish Bone Canine Rescue • Normal, IL
Senior confirmed
COREY
COREY is a senior male Chihuahua, small in size, at the Animal Welfare League of Illinois - Chicago Ridge in Chicago Ridge, IL. Senior dogs make wonde…
Animal Welfare League of Illinois - Chicago Ridge • Chicago Ridge, IL
10+ years
Gramps
Sweetest dog!! Cuddly and gentle. Good with kids. Doesn’t mind cats. Will bark at dogs on other side of fence when in our yard. Loves to sunbathe. Est…
Dogs are Deserving • Crete, IL
Senior confirmed
Shuggie
Shuggie is an 8-year old Catahoula/Blue Heeler cross, who has lived with his current family since he was a puppy; now, however, his owners are relocat…
Come Bye Border Collie Rescue • Highland, IL
Senior confirmed
Phoebe
Phoebe is a Border Collie mix who is being re-homed by her owners due to her reactivity to another dog in the household, and the concerns of the owner…
Come Bye Border Collie Rescue • Highland, IL
Senior confirmed
Puppy
Puppy is an English Staffordshire Bull Terrier who is looking for an active family seeking a fun dog that likes to play fetch, swim, and go for walks …
Dogs are Deserving • Crete, IL
Updated recently
Doula
Doula is currently being fostered by the Founder of Dogs Are Deserving Rescue. Doula is the perfect houseguest as she is completely housebroken, doesn…
Dogs are Deserving • Crete, IL
Senior confirmed
Lucky
Meet Lucky: A Loyal Shadow with a Gentle Heart Lucky is a sweet 9-year-old cattle dog mix with a calm spirit, a soft heart, and a deep love for being …
Come Bye Border Collie Rescue • Highland, IL
Senior confirmed
Brie
Brie is a 9-year old BC/Rat Terrier mix who is in need of a forever home due to allergies of the newborn child of her owners in her current home. She …
Come Bye Border Collie Rescue • Highland, IL
Senior confirmed
Odin
Odin is a loving, loyal companion who will be your devoted shadow. He's a true velcro dog who loves very hard. Odin is a large poodle Rottie X that ca…
Redemption Road Rescue Rehab Inc. • Wauconda, IL
10+ years
Luna
Luna - DOB 10/14/2015 Female Heeler Mix Meet Luna, a senior canine with a heart full of sweetness and loyalty. Her friendly nature shines through her …
Hope Animal Rescues • Godfrey, IL
Senior confirmed
Senior confirmed
LUCY
This dog has been pre-selected for adoption. What does pre-selected mean? Please click on the photo of the dog to see if there is a note indicating th…
Winnebago County Animal Services • Rockford, IL
Senior confirmed
WILFRED
WILFRED is a senior male Pit Bull Terrier, large in size, at Winnebago County Animal Services in Rockford, IL. Senior dogs make wonderful companions.
Winnebago County Animal Services • Rockford, IL
Senior confirmed
DIXIE
This cutie is Dixie, a 6 year old, 50 pound Pit Bull mix who is short in stature, and as sweet as pie with a little bit of spunk thrown in. Dixie love…
A Caring Place - All Breed Dog Rescue • Westmont, IL
10+ years
Hazel Grace
Hazel Grace - Female, Lab Mix - DOB 7/2/2014. Hazel Grace was adopted as a young puppy but sadly, if problems are not corrected appropriately in the b…
Hope Animal Rescues • Godfrey, IL
Senior confirmed
Moxie
If you are interested in being considered for this dog, please complete an application directly on our website, www.hoofwoofmeow.org - not through a 3…
Hoof Woof Meow Animal Rescue • Elgin, IL
Senior confirmed
Ellie Sue
Ellie Sue is a super sweet happy chihuahua. She isn't for everyone so please read carefully before you apply to adopt. Ellie Sue will steal your heart…
Rescue Tails Animal Welfare • Lincolnwood, IL
Senior confirmed
Shaka
Meet Shaka – Your Future Best Friend! Are you looking for a loyal, loving, and intelligent companion? Shaka is a beautiful Border Collie Mix who’s rea…
Come Bye Border Collie Rescue • Highland, IL
Senior dogs in Illinois by breed
Senior dogs in Illinois by city
Shelters & rescues with senior dogs in Illinois
These organizations currently have at least one adoptable senior dog listed on Lily's Second Chance.
- Chicago Animal Care and Control — Chicago, Illinois · See Chicago Animal Care and Control’s senior dogs on Lily's Second Chance
- Wish Bone Canine Rescue — Normal, Illinois · See Wish Bone Canine Rescue’s senior dogs on Lily's Second Chance
- Animal Welfare League of Illinois - Chicago Ridge — Chicago Ridge, Illinois · See Animal Welfare League of Illinois - Chicago Ridge’s senior dogs on Lily's Second Chance
- Dogs are Deserving — Crete, Illinois · See Dogs are Deserving ’s senior dogs on Lily's Second Chance
- Wright-Way Rescue — Morton Grove, Illinois · See Wright-Way Rescue’s senior dogs on Lily's Second Chance
- Chicago Animal Care and Control — Chicago, Illinois · See Chicago Animal Care and Control’s senior dogs on Lily's Second Chance
- Animal Rescue Foundation (ARF-IL) — Wheaton, Illinois · See Animal Rescue Foundation (ARF-IL)’s senior dogs on Lily's Second Chance
- Come Bye Border Collie Rescue — Highland, Illinois · See Come Bye Border Collie Rescue’s senior dogs on Lily's Second Chance
- Animal Welfare League of Illinois - Chicago Ridge — Chicago Ridge, Illinois · See Animal Welfare League of Illinois - Chicago Ridge’s senior dogs on Lily's Second Chance
- Bishop's Small Dog Rescue — Waterloo, Illinois · See Bishop's Small Dog Rescue’s senior dogs on Lily's Second Chance
- Hope Animal Rescues — Godfrey, Illinois · See Hope Animal Rescues’s senior dogs on Lily's Second Chance
- Peoria Animal Welfare Shelter — Peoria, Illinois · See Peoria Animal Welfare Shelter’s senior dogs on Lily's Second Chance
- REACH Rescue, Inc — Mundelein, Illinois · See REACH Rescue, Inc’s senior dogs on Lily's Second Chance
- Aurora Animal Care and Control — Aurora, Illinois · See Aurora Animal Care and Control’s senior dogs on Lily's Second Chance
- Genesis Animal Rescue — Mattoon, Illinois · See Genesis Animal Rescue ’s senior dogs on Lily's Second Chance
- Hoof Woof Meow Animal Rescue — Elgin, Illinois · See Hoof Woof Meow Animal Rescue’s senior dogs on Lily's Second Chance
- Placing Paws Rescue — Libertyville, Illinois · See Placing Paws Rescue’s senior dogs on Lily's Second Chance
- Randolph County Humane Society — Steeleville, Illinois · See Randolph County Humane Society’s senior dogs on Lily's Second Chance
- Redemption Road Rescue Rehab Inc. — Wauconda, Illinois · See Redemption Road Rescue Rehab Inc.’s senior dogs on Lily's Second Chance
- Starfish Animal Rescue — Geneva, Illinois · See Starfish Animal Rescue’s senior dogs on Lily's Second Chance
- Winnebago County Animal Services — Rockford, Illinois · See Winnebago County Animal Services’s senior dogs on Lily's Second Chance
- A Caring Place - All Breed Dog Rescue — Westmont, Illinois · See A Caring Place - All Breed Dog Rescue’s senior dogs on Lily's Second Chance
- Animal Education and Rescue — Libertyville, Illinois · See Animal Education and Rescue’s senior dogs on Lily's Second Chance
- German Shepherd Rescue INC — SKOKIE, Illinois · See German Shepherd Rescue INC’s senior dogs on Lily's Second Chance
Senior dogs in other states
Adopting a senior dog in Illinois — 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 Illinois?
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 Illinois?
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 Illinois?
Yes. Most shelters and rescues in Illinois welcome adopters from anywhere in the state, and some can arrange transport within Illinois 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 Illinois?
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 Illinois instead of adopting?
Many shelters and rescues in Illinois 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 Illinois 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 Illinois who needs a home?
Shelters and rescues can list adoptable senior dogs for free.