10+ years
Senior dogs in Tennessee
Senior dogs for adoption in Tennessee
Meet 52 adoptable senior dogs (age 7+) in Tennessee. Each one is from a shelter or rescue and ready to give an older dog's quiet, grateful love. Showing 1–30 of 52 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 Tennessee 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 Tennessee
Senior confirmed
Duke Jackson
Goofy Foot Dog Rescue - Jackson, TN • Jackson, TN
Senior confirmed
Senior confirmed
Saban
Saban is a male Labrador Retriever/Mixed Breed (Large), 9 years 11 months old, at SPCA of Bradley County TN in Cleveland, TN. Senior dogs make wonderf…
SPCA of Bradley County TN • Cleveland, TN
Senior confirmed
Senior confirmed
Kiah
Goofy Foot Dog Rescue - Jackson, TN • Jackson, TN
Senior confirmed
Senior confirmed
Cooper & Buddy - COURTESY BONDED PAIR
Cooper & Buddy are a courtesy listing, not in the AARF foster program, and we are posting online to help the owner find a home for them. Please visit …
A.A.R.F. - All About Rescue and Fixin' Inc. • Cookeville, TN
10+ years
BB
Meet B B! B B is around 2 years old and is looking for her forever home! This sweet girl has a calm, gentle disposition and loves being around people.…
Grainger County Humane Society • Rutledge, TN
10+ years
Margot
Margot is a 4-year-old Mini Australian Cattle Dog weighing 32 lbs, and she lives life with the confidence of a dog twice her size. Bold, tenacious, an…
Maryville Alcoa Animal Rescue Center • Maryville, TN
Senior confirmed
GRINS
This adorable Wire-haired Dachshund is 5 years old and has the cutest whiskers and eyebrows ever going. He is a calm and easy going 24 pounds boy that…
Critter Cavalry Rescue • Franklin, TN
Senior confirmed
Bandit
Bandit: The Cat Who Accidentally Became a Dog Bandit is a 7-year-old Pomsky weighing 25 lbs, and we're convinced he's actually a cat in disguise. When…
Maryville Alcoa Animal Rescue Center • Maryville, TN
10+ years
BENJAMIN
Imagine driving down a rural country road on the way to pickup groceries, when out of the brush comes 2 walking Halloween skeletons. That is what Benj…
Critter Cavalry Rescue • Franklin, TN
10+ years
Robby
Robby the Cool Yule Hound Meet Robby, a 3-year-old Plott Hound mix who’s cooler than a snowman in sunglasses. This laid-back guy may not know sit, sta…
Maryville Alcoa Animal Rescue Center • Maryville, TN
10+ years
JACK JUNIOR
Jack Junior has a heart full of Joy and ready for his special person to raise him right. Here is his story and plea: Hi there! My name is Junior, but …
Critter Cavalry Rescue • Franklin, TN
10+ years
Shiloh
See Courtesy Posting Disclaimer * Meet Shiloh: The Sweetest Little Sunshine Girl Who’s Ready for Her Forever Family! Shiloh is a stunning Walker Hound…
Shelter Animals Rescue Group • Oak Ridge, TN
10+ years
Ruby
Meet Ruby! At 12 years old, this sweet, quiet girl is the perfect low-maintenance companion. She’s great with kids, house-trained, never barks, and ab…
Proverbs 12:10 Animal Rescue • Nashville, TN
Senior confirmed
Bunny
To adopt please fill out an adoption Application Bunny is a 7yo female Labrador retriever being rehomed by her owner who can no longer keep her. Bunny…
Happy Dog Rescue • Germanton, TN
Senior confirmed
MARLEY GIRL
Marley Girl is a happy, outgoing 8 year old Aussie Doodle with a heart full of love and lots of years and life left to share. This young senior girl i…
Critter Cavalry Rescue • Franklin, TN
Senior confirmed
Addie
Addie is a 7-year-old, affectionate, toy-loving girl looking for a foster or forever home where she can be the only pet. She is fully up to date on va…
Dogs 2nd Chance • Munford, TN
Senior confirmed
BLUE SASSY
❤️ Blue Sassy: The Dog Who Still Has So Much Love Left to Give ❤️ Sometimes a rescue story finds you, and before you know it, you’ve become part of a …
Critter Cavalry Rescue • Franklin, TN
Senior confirmed
Peanut
☀️ Peanut: Small Name, Endless Joy ☀️Peanut is a 7-year-old Pit Bull mix weighing 45 lbs, and in a very short time, she’s completely stolen the hearts…
Maryville Alcoa Animal Rescue Center • Maryville, TN
Senior confirmed
LIL BUDDY
This sweet little guy is Buddy and he is a happy go lucky 7-year,14-pound Chihuahua mix who has been with my a senior couple since he was a puppy. Due…
Critter Cavalry Rescue • Franklin, TN
10+ years
Winston aka Winnie in NY
CITY, STATE: Buffalo, NY NAME: Winston aka Winnie AGE: 13 yrs. (DOB 8/1/13) SEX: Male WEIGHT: 15 lbs. COLOR: Chocolate and Tan COAT: Long Hair UP TO D…
All American Dachshund Rescue • Shelbyville, TN
10+ years
Trixie
Trixie says Hi! Trixie is always happy to meet someone new, greeting everyone with a hearty tail wag. She is an approximately 10-year-old All-American…
Shelter Animals Rescue Group • Oak Ridge, TN
Senior confirmed
Tanner CP
Looking for an active companion? Tanner CP is a 9-year-old neutered male who loves life! He's a pro at chase with a tennis ball, adores swimming, and …
Russell Rescue, Inc. • Columbia, TN
Senior confirmed
Henry in TN
CITY, STATE: Murfreesboro, TN NAME: Henry AGE: 9 yrs. SEX: Male WEIGHT: 16.2 lbs. COLOR: Red COAT: Smooth UP TO DATE: Yes SPAYED/NEUTERED: Yes DHPP: Y…
All American Dachshund Rescue • Shelbyville, TN
Senior confirmed
Bootsie Baby (F)
Bootsie Baby is a sweet little lap dog with the softest fur and an adorable personality that will make you smile every day. She loves being close to h…
Proverbs 12:10 Animal Rescue • Nashville, TN
10+ years
Teddy
Hello, my name is Teddy, or as my foster mom calls me, Teddybear! I am a sweet, approximately 13-year-old male Yorkie mix. I weigh in at a whopping 10…
Shelter Animals Rescue Group • Oak Ridge, TN
Senior confirmed
Missy Zelda (FL)
Adoption Fee: $300 Missy Zelda is available for adoption. She is 9 years old and weighs about 9 pounds. She is in Gainesville, Florida. --- Missy Zeld…
Southern Comfort Maltese Rescue • Chattanooga, TN
Senior dogs in Tennessee by breed
Senior dogs in Tennessee by city
Shelters & rescues with senior dogs in Tennessee
These organizations currently have at least one adoptable senior dog listed on Lily's Second Chance.
- Russell Rescue, Inc. — Columbia, Tennessee · See Russell Rescue, Inc.’s senior dogs on Lily's Second Chance
- Critter Cavalry Rescue — Franklin, Tennessee · See Critter Cavalry Rescue’s senior dogs on Lily's Second Chance
- All American Dachshund Rescue — Shelbyville, Tennessee · See All American Dachshund Rescue’s senior dogs on Lily's Second Chance
- Proverbs 12:10 Animal Rescue — Nashville, Tennessee · See Proverbs 12:10 Animal Rescue’s senior dogs on Lily's Second Chance
- Maryville Alcoa Animal Rescue Center — Maryville, Tennessee · See Maryville Alcoa Animal Rescue Center’s senior dogs on Lily's Second Chance
- Dogs 2nd Chance — Munford, Tennessee · See Dogs 2nd Chance’s senior dogs on Lily's Second Chance
- Pet Placement Center — Chattanooga, Tennessee · See Pet Placement Center’s senior dogs on Lily's Second Chance
- Shelter Animals Rescue Group — Oak Ridge, Tennessee · See Shelter Animals Rescue Group’s senior dogs on Lily's Second Chance
- Southern Comfort Maltese Rescue — Chattanooga, Tennessee · See Southern Comfort Maltese Rescue’s senior dogs on Lily's Second Chance
- Almost Home Animal Rescue — Maryville, Tennessee · See Almost Home Animal Rescue’s senior dogs on Lily's Second Chance
- Goofy Foot Dog Rescue - Jackson, TN — Jackson, Tennessee · See Goofy Foot Dog Rescue - Jackson, TN’s senior dogs on Lily's Second Chance
- Last Chance Pet Rescue, Inc — White Bluff, Tennessee · See Last Chance Pet Rescue, Inc’s senior dogs on Lily's Second Chance
- A.A.R.F. - All About Rescue and Fixin' Inc. — Cookeville, Tennessee · See A.A.R.F. - All About Rescue and Fixin' Inc.’s senior dogs on Lily's Second Chance
- Goofy Foot Dog Rescue — Nashville, Tennessee · See Goofy Foot Dog Rescue’s senior dogs on Lily's Second Chance
- Grainger County Humane Society — Bean Station, Tennessee · See Grainger County Humane Society’s senior dogs on Lily's Second Chance
- Happy Dog Rescue — Germanton, Tennessee · See Happy Dog Rescue’s senior dogs on Lily's Second Chance
- SPCA of Bradley County TN — Cleveland, Tennessee · See SPCA of Bradley County TN’s senior dogs on Lily's Second Chance
Senior dogs in other states
Adopting a senior dog in Tennessee — 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 Tennessee?
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 Tennessee?
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 Tennessee?
Yes. Most shelters and rescues in Tennessee welcome adopters from anywhere in the state, and some can arrange transport within Tennessee 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 Tennessee?
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 Tennessee instead of adopting?
Many shelters and rescues in Tennessee 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 Tennessee 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 Tennessee who needs a home?
Shelters and rescues can list adoptable senior dogs for free.