10+ years
Rebel
REBEL AND BEAR ARE ADORABLE SENIORS. THEY COME AS A READY-MADE-PAIR THAT ARE COMFORTABLE, COMPATIBLE AND DEEPLY CONNECTED. PLEASE ALSO VIEW HIS BUDDY …
Best Friend Pet Adoption • Cary, NC
Senior dogs in North Carolina
Senior dogs for adoption in North Carolina
Meet 196 adoptable senior dogs (age 7+) in North Carolina. Each one is from a shelter or rescue and ready to give an older dog's quiet, grateful love. Showing 121–150 of 196 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 North Carolina 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 North Carolina
Senior confirmed
MELO
MELO is a large male Terrier and is listed as a senior. He is at the Burlington Adoption Center in Haw River, NC. Senior dogs make wonderful companion…
Burlington Adoption Center • Haw River, NC
Senior confirmed
REBA
Hi there! I'm Reba, a sweet senior gal looking for my forever home. I've got a heart full of love and I'm always ready to shower my future family with…
SPCA of Wake County • Raleigh, NC
Senior confirmed
Selma
Selma is a 9-year-old female American Staffordshire Terrier / Border Collie at Gram Rescue Ranch in Winston Salem, NC. Senior dogs make wonderful comp…
Gram Rescue Ranch • Winston Salem, NC
10+ years
HAMMY
HAMMY is a senior male Labrador Retriever, large, located in Fayetteville, NC at Cumberland County Animal Control. Senior dogs make wonderful companio…
Cumberland County Animal Control • Fayetteville, NC
Senior confirmed
DAISY
DAISY is a senior female Jack Russell Terrier (Parson Russell Terrier) and Australian Cattle Dog (Blue Heeler) mix, medium-sized, at Rowan County Anim…
Rowan County Animal Control • Salisbury, NC
Senior confirmed
HAPPY
Happy is a 7-year-old, large mixed breed who truly lives up to his name. He’s a sweet, affectionate boy who loves being close to his people and happil…
Burlington Adoption Center • Haw River, NC
Senior confirmed
Senior confirmed
CAVA
Why hello there! My name is Cava. As a reserved and loyal companion it can take a little time for me to warm up to new friends, but once I do you'll f…
SPCA of Wake County • Raleigh, NC
10+ years
Frederick
Frederick is our sweet little old man. He was found as a stray and landed in a shelter. We rescued him soon after. He was a shelter favorite and neede…
St. Furever Freedom Animal Rescue • Rural Hall, NC
Senior confirmed
Dotti
Dotti is a 7yo quirky loveable grumpy terrier mix. She is looki g for a lap and 2 square meals a day. Dotti takes a bit to warm up but then she is a s…
Ruff Love Foster Care and Dog Rescue • Thomasville, NC
10+ years
Brooklyn
Meet Brooklyn, a 13 year old mix of sugar and spice and all that is nice! This girl is a sweetheart. Brooklyn is great with people and other low key d…
Ruff Love Foster Care and Dog Rescue • Thomasville, NC
Senior confirmed
Rebel
Meet Rebel – Your Loyal, Laid-Back Shadow with a Watchful Heart Quick Facts: Breed: Husky Mix Age: 7 years Weight: 65 lbs House-Trained: Yes Crate-Tra…
CrisisDogsNC • Spring Lake, NC
10+ years
Popcorn
This is a courtesy post. Please do not contact Heart of the Foothills Animal Rescue for information. Contact information is provided in the descriptio…
Heart of the Foothills Animal Rescue • Rutherfordton, NC
10+ years
Tilly
This sweet pup, along with 13 others, was rescued from a backyard breeder and brought to Pawfect Match after enduring truly heartbreaking conditions. …
Pawfect Match Rescue • Holly Springs, NC
10+ years
Prissy
Meet Prissy -Sonsorship Only-In a hospice foster home Sweet 16-year-old Prissy came to Rainbow Bridge Hospice Rescue as an owner surrender who no long…
Rainbow Bridge Hospice Rescue inc • Middlesex, NC
Senior confirmed
FORREST
Hi, I'm Forrest! I'm a charming and friendly dog who loves making new friends. As a true celebrity in the making, I have a natural charisma that draws…
SPCA of Wake County • Raleigh, NC
10+ years
NIKA
Please contact foster at kerryu@animalmedical.net Nika, the sweetest girl in the world: •absolute sweetheart, she aims to please the humans•loves to c…
Animal Care & Control, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department • Charlotte, NC
Senior confirmed
QUEEN
Meet Queen, a charming and sassy sidekick who's equal parts snuggle bug, road trip companion, and toy-loving goofball. She’s all about her people and …
Burlington Adoption Center • Haw River, NC
Senior confirmed
Walton
Oh, hey there! I’m Walton—certified good boy, professional toy enthusiast, and a true comeback kid. I was this close to taking the Big Sleep at the sh…
Pawfect Match Rescue • Holly Springs, NC
10+ years
TT
Contact the foster at, alyssa.s.cummins@gmail.comMeet TT!At 12 years young, TT is the perfect mix of playful energy and cozy companionship. Her silly …
Animal Care & Control, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department • Charlotte, NC
Senior confirmed
SPYRO
Please Contact Foster At; jeanette.c.lam@gmail.com• Potty + Crate Trained• Friendly with foster’s resident dogs• Very sweet boy with a heart of gold• …
Animal Care & Control, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department • Charlotte, NC
Senior confirmed
MOOSE
Please contact foster at meliathomas94@gmail.comBig, affectionate, smiley cuddle bug!!Dog friendly - very friendly to all shapes + sizes he’s metKid f…
Animal Care & Control, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department • Charlotte, NC
Senior confirmed
Meatball
Meet Meatball — Your New Best Buddy! This sweet 8 year old, 65-pound hunk of love is everything his name promises—a big ol’ softie with a heart of gol…
Pawfect Match Rescue • Holly Springs, NC
Senior confirmed
Diesel
Diesel is a sweet older Great Dane mix dog. His vet estimated birth date is 2017. He weighs 77 pounds. He'd love taking walks and then coming home to …
Ruff Love Foster Care and Dog Rescue • Thomasville, NC
10+ years
Chili Pepper
Chili Pepper is a very sweet black bulldog mix. The vet estimated she is a Boxer mix, but we think she looks like she has some Bulldog in her. Chili i…
Ruff Love Foster Care and Dog Rescue • Thomasville, NC
Senior confirmed
KODA
Contact the foster at, wvaldivi@yahoo.comMay need to be the only dog in the home
Animal Care & Control, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department • Charlotte, NC
Senior confirmed
Cookie
Got Room for a Little Extra Sweetness? Meet Cookie! Life gave Cookie some seriously bad crumbs, but this resilient 8-year-old rescue is ready for a fr…
Rainbow Bridge Hospice Rescue inc • Middlesex, NC
Senior confirmed
COLBY
Foster Notes:`Colby is the sweetest pup you would ever meet! From the day he came home with me, he has been the nicest, most well adjusted dog. He imm…
Burlington Adoption Center • Haw River, NC
Senior confirmed
Maggie
Maggie's Journey to Love- Maggie is a 9-year-old German Shepherd with soulful eyes, 91 pounds of love (okay… maybe a little extra love), and a comebac…
Southeast German Shepherd Rescue • New Hill, NC
Senior dogs in North Carolina by breed
Senior dogs in North Carolina by city
Shelters & rescues with senior dogs in North Carolina
These organizations currently have at least one adoptable senior dog listed on Lily's Second Chance.
- Charlotte-Mecklenburg Animal Services — Charlotte, North Carolina · See Charlotte-Mecklenburg Animal Services’s senior dogs on Lily's Second Chance
- Pawfect Match Rescue — Holly Springs, North Carolina · See Pawfect Match Rescue’s senior dogs on Lily's Second Chance
- Guilford County Animal Services — Greensbo, North Carolina · See Guilford County Animal Services ’s senior dogs on Lily's Second Chance
- Ruff Love Foster Care and Dog Rescue — Thomasville, North Carolina · See Ruff Love Foster Care and Dog Rescue’s senior dogs on Lily's Second Chance
- Rainbow Bridge Hospice Rescue inc — Middlesex, North Carolina · See Rainbow Bridge Hospice Rescue inc’s senior dogs on Lily's Second Chance
- Best Friend Pet Adoption — Cary, North Carolina · See Best Friend Pet Adoption’s senior dogs on Lily's Second Chance
- Burlington Adoption Center — Haw River, North Carolina · See Burlington Adoption Center’s senior dogs on Lily's Second Chance
- Cumberland County Animal Control — Fayetteville, North Carolina · See Cumberland County Animal Control’s senior dogs on Lily's Second Chance
- SPCA of Wake County — Raleigh, North Carolina · See SPCA of Wake County’s senior dogs on Lily's Second Chance
- Catawba County Animal Care and Control — Newton, North Carolina · See Catawba County Animal Care and Control’s senior dogs on Lily's Second Chance
- CrisisDogsNC — Spring Lake, North Carolina · See CrisisDogsNC’s senior dogs on Lily's Second Chance
- Heart of the Foothills Animal Rescue — Rutherfordton, North Carolina · See Heart of the Foothills Animal Rescue’s senior dogs on Lily's Second Chance
- Animal Care & Control, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department — Charlotte, North Carolina · See Animal Care & Control, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department’s senior dogs on Lily's Second Chance
- Gram Rescue Ranch — Winston Salem, North Carolina · See Gram Rescue Ranch’s senior dogs on Lily's Second Chance
- Mountain Pet Rescue Asheville — Candler, North Carolina · See Mountain Pet Rescue Asheville’s senior dogs on Lily's Second Chance
- Animal Protection Society of Durham — Durham, North Carolina · See Animal Protection Society of Durham’s senior dogs on Lily's Second Chance
- Orange County Animal Services — Chapel Hill, North Carolina · See Orange County Animal Services’s senior dogs on Lily's Second Chance
- Atlantic Rottweiler Rescue Foundation — Mooresville, North Carolina · See Atlantic Rottweiler Rescue Foundation’s senior dogs on Lily's Second Chance
- Carolina Animal Rescue And Adoption — Sanford, North Carolina · See Carolina Animal Rescue And Adoption’s senior dogs on Lily's Second Chance
- Iredell County Animal Services and Control Department — Statesville, North Carolina · See Iredell County Animal Services and Control Department’s senior dogs on Lily's Second Chance
- Piedmont Animal Rescue — Mooresville, North Carolina · See Piedmont Animal Rescue’s senior dogs on Lily's Second Chance
- Freedom German Shepherd Rescue — La Grange , North Carolina · See Freedom German Shepherd Rescue’s senior dogs on Lily's Second Chance
- Happy Hills Animal Foundation — Staley, North Carolina · See Happy Hills Animal Foundation’s senior dogs on Lily's Second Chance
- New Hanover County Sheriff's Office Animal Services Unit — Wilmington, North Carolina · See New Hanover County Sheriff's Office Animal Services Unit’s senior dogs on Lily's Second Chance
Senior dogs in other states
Adopting a senior dog in North Carolina — 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 North Carolina?
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 North Carolina?
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 North Carolina?
Yes. Most shelters and rescues in North Carolina welcome adopters from anywhere in the state, and some can arrange transport within North Carolina 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 North Carolina?
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 North Carolina instead of adopting?
Many shelters and rescues in North Carolina 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 North Carolina 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 North Carolina who needs a home?
Shelters and rescues can list adoptable senior dogs for free.