I hoped I piqued your interest because you are looking for an adoptable senior dog. As we discuss in our article How to Know if Your Dog is a Senior and Other Senior Dog Facts, of the 4 million dogs sent to shelters each year, one million of those are because they are just too old, a fact you likely find as appalling as I do.
Senior dogs need us and there are many adoptable senior dogs available that would love your help which you can find at the Senior Dog Rescues or at your local shelter if you are looking. Even if you are not looking for a senior dog the stories of each of these Senior Dog Rescues and each of their missions will not doubt inspire you and hopefully foster an even greater love and appreciation for Senior Dogs or find another way to help by volunteering or supporting these important dog rescues.
The Ultimate List of Senior Dog Rescues
I compiled this list of Senior dog rescues from various searches across the internet so that they could appear in one place. The most popular Senior Dog Rescue you may already know is Muttville Senior Dog Rescue.
However, there are many other Senior Dog Rescues and Sanctuaries that are working hard to not only give senior dogs a comfortable place to live out there golden years in a senior dog sanctuary but also adopt senior dogs into loving homes.
The work of all of these Senior dog rescues is so important as senior dogs are one of the least likely to be adopted in rescues.
Senior Dog Rescues in California, Oregon and Washington
California seems to have the most Senior Dog Rescues. So we will start with those.
- Daisy Lu – Camarillo, California
Daisy Lu Ranch is a 501(3)c non-profit senior dog rescue and sanctuary located in beautiful Camarillo, CA. They have over two acres of property filled with avocado, citrus, and palm trees. The dogs are free to roam and explore as they wish. At DaisyLu Ranch they bring these forgotten dogs to their sanctuary, where they get the unconditional love and care they crave and deserve, possibly for the first time. Their new home is theirs for the rest of their lives, free from worry about ever being abandoned and lost again.
- Frosted Faces Foundation – Ramona, California
Frosted Faces Foundation is a 501(C)3 non-profit organization that delivers the promise of family and quality veterinary care for senior animals whose love and lives are in jeopardy
- Grand-Paws Senior Sanctuary – Acton, California
Grand-Paws mission is to rescue primarily large breed senior dogs who’ve been abandoned. They rescue from local high-kill shelters and let them live out their lives in our sanctuary or in one of our wonderful foster homes: happy, safe, and loved.
- Lily’s Legacy Senior Dog Sanctuary – Petaluma, CA
Lily’s Legacy Senior Dog Sanctuary, located in Petaluma, CA is a 501(c)(3), is a volunteer run, non-profit established in 2009. They provide 24/7/365 care in a safe and loving sanctuary for senior large breed dogs who have been displaced from their homes or abandoned for any reason. Their mission is to ensure that each of their senior dogs live out the rest of his/her life as a well-loved family companion in a forever, adoptive home, a foster or hospice home or at the Sanctuary. Each dog they rescue receives a thorough medical evaluation and treatment as necessary, as well as temperament assessment. If the dog is adoptable, a home that will meet his or her emotional, medical and daily care needs is sought. Dogs who are not adoptable, for whatever reason, remain at the Sanctuary or in permanent foster or hospice home for the remainder of their natural lives.
- Lionel’s Legacy – San Diego, California
Their mission is to Save one senior dog at a time and educating MANY young minds to create a legacy of compassion and advocacy.
- Muttville – San Francisco, California
Muttville’s mission is to give senior dogs a second chance at life. They rescue them, give them the care they need, find them loving homes, and spread the word about how WONDERFUL they are!
- Peace of Mind Dog Rescue – Pacific Grove, California
Their mission is to be a resource and advocate for senior dogs and senior people on California’s Central Coast. They focus on helping dogs and people from Monterey, Santa Cruz and San Benito Counties.
- Tails of Gray – Livermore, California
Tails of Gray is dedicated to saving the lives of innocent senior dogs left homeless for any reason, providing quality medical care and placing them into loving, responsible and permanent homes whenever possible.
- Old Dog Haven – Oak Harbor, WA
Old Dog Haven is a small nonprofit group using a large network of foster homes to provide a loving safe home for abandoned senior dogs in western Washington. When they have room and the means, they take these dogs into their homes. They adopt out those dogs with a reasonable life-expectancy. They care for the rest as members of the family in permanent foster homes (what we call “Final Refuge”) for as long as they have good quality of life. In addition, they try to assist owners in finding new homes for their senior dogs through their website and referrals.
They intend to keep Old Dog Haven foster dogs as healthy and comfortable as possible by providing excellent medical care, but without heroic measures intended only to extend life. They are committed to helping these dogs find peace in their final years without judgment of the humans who have left them.
Senior Dog Rescues in Texas
Texas seems to be the second most populated state of Senior Dog Rescues, which makes sense as it is a highly populated state.
- Dog Lodge – Hempstead, Texas
Dog Lodge Sanctuary is a Texas-based 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to providing a permanent home for senior and/or special needs dogs that otherwise might face a very bleak future but in the right environment can still lead a quality life. They are focused on providing a safe, loving, healthy and stable environment for the dogs in their care so that they may know peace and dignity for the rest of their lives. The primary function of Dog Lodge is to come to the rescue of dogs that are, for all intents and purposes, considered “unadoptable” because of advanced age or because they have chronic illness or physical disabilities.
- Classic Canines, Inc – Austin, TX
Classic Canine is a 501(c)(3) volunteer-based organization dedicated to advocating, teaching, and promoting the adoption and fostering of senior dogs. The organization was founded in 2012 and has since helped hundreds of senior dogs find loving fosters and permanent homes.
The organization’s primary goal is to reduce the number of days older dogs spend in shelters and rescues. To achieve this, they host over 25 outreach and adoption events each year to raise public awareness about the importance of senior dog adoption. Classic Canines has a program that helps qualifying adopters overcome medical hurdles to elderly dog adoption by providing reduced veterinary treatment and supplies.
Senior Dog Rescues Nevada and Arizona
- Homer J’s Senior Dog Sanctuary – Reno, Nevada
Their mission is simple, encourage the adoption of senior dogs by discovering engaging ways to demonstrate the benefits of senior dog adoption and, by proving once and for all, you can teach an old dog new tricks.
- Forever Loved Pet Sanctuary – Scottsdale, Arizona
The mission at Forever Loved Pet Sanctuary (FLPS) is to help overlooked senior dogs in Arizona find their forever homes. They have been rescuing and adopting out senior pups since 2012, and the success stories are powerful. Dogs who were abandoned or tossed out as strays are incredibly resilient — they simply want a place to call home and people to love. Older dogs make loving, loyal, wonderful companions.
- Camp Golden Years – Dewey, AZ
Camp Golden Years, operated by a veteran, specializes in senior dogs. Their website says: Veteran operated base of old rescue dogs looking to complete their final mission of finding a forever family for their golden years.
They want each senior recruit to live out their final days with dignity and respect. If they don’t find a forever home then Camp Golden Years will become their forever home.
Senior Dog Rescues Florida
Senior dog rescue and sanctuaries are important in Florida given the demographics and aging human population. Many elderly have senior dogs in their care and when they are no longer able to look after their dogs their dogs, which have aged with them, are in need of a loving home.
- The Roland Senior Dog Rescue Gang – Melrose, Florida
The Roland Senior Dog Rescue Gang, Inc. is a registered 501 c3 non-profit established to help senior dogs who have been abandoned in municipal shelters and seniors who’s owners can no longer care for them due to their own health issues or age. They provide vet care, quality food and a loving environment for them to live out their lives. They promote and find foster homes for seniors and promote education concerning the joys of having a senior dog and senior dog health issues.
- Vintage Paws Rescue – Sarasota, Florida
They rescue senior dogs who have been abandoned, surrendered to shelters or whose humans have gone into senior living facilities or passed away. Their goal is to provide sanctuary for these old souls to live out their lives with dignity surrounded by the loving care they deserve.
- K9s For Warriors – Ponte Vedra, Fl
K9s For Warriors serves our veterans as honorably as they served their country. Their lifelong program is provided to Warriors at no cost and is designed to deliver maximum benefit with minimum administrative costs. We are proud that generous supporters trust us to do the right thing with their contributions, and we have received widespread recognition for our stewardship. Impacting the lives of veterans will always be our greatest reward. Their continued participation in the program is the only validation we need.
Senior Dog Rescues Eastern United States
- Senior Paws Rescue – Hardinsburg, Indiana
Senior Paws Rescue provides a refuge for homeless senior dogs to live out their lives in a safe, comfortable, and loving environment. The dogs in their care are not up for adoption. Our philosophy is that these dogs have been through enough and just need a final place to call home. We are with them when it is their time to cross the Rainbow Bridge.
- Gray Face Acres Senior Dog Rescue – Catharpin, Virginia
Gray Face Acres was established in 2016 by Debbie and Bob Gretz. After many years in rescue, Debbie realized there was a real need for a safe space for seniors so she started a rescue geared toward older dogs. They are now a foster based rescue in MD, DC, VA and WV. Gray Face Acres is completely volunteer run and donation driven. If there are senior dogs in need, whether in a shelter or a home, they want to support the dog’s needs.
- Gray Paws Sanctuary – White Oaks, PA
At Gray Paws Sanctuary, they are passionate about providing safe and beautiful places for older and abandoned dogs to spend their lives. Since 2014, they have been building their non-profit to care for older dogs in need of preventive and routine medical care, physical therapy, socialization, and above all, love!
- Marty’s Place Senior Dog Sanctuary – Freehold Township, New Jersey
Offers senior dogs physical comfort, emotional care and enrichment in a safe, loving and protected environment. Marty’s Place is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to enhancing the lives of senior dogs and ensuring that older dogs whose owners can no longer care for them will have a loving home for life. Each dog has comfortable living spaces, human and canine companionship, and access to physically and mentally stimulating activities suited to their age and abilities. Once at the Sanctuary, dogs will either have a home as residents in the sanctuary or with a new family through our foster or adoption programs.
- Forever Dream Senior Dog Sanctuary, Tyron, NC
Forever Dream is a sanctuary and forever hospice home for toy breed, 10 lbs and under, senior and special needs dogs. While providing a lifetime home for senior dogs, they strive to raise awareness of the joys and challenges of living and caring for aging dogs. While never forgetting where these dogs have come from, they want to emphasize the positive aspects of their life in retirement.
- Vintage Pet Rescue – Foster, Rhode Island
Vintage Pet Rescue is a Rhode Island based 501c3 non-profit run by Kristen and Marc Peralta (who met in an animal shelter in Los Angeles in 2013). Their mutual love for senior dogs is the driving force behind Vintage Pet Rescue and they are committed to rescuing vintage (senior) pets from shelters and assisting owners who can no longer care for their senior pets. Along with their small team of volunteers, Kristen and Marc give these animals love, attention, and medical care for the last months or years of their lives.
- Woody’s Place Senior German Shepherd Sanctuary, Inc. – Greentown, Pennsylvania
Woody’s Place Senior German Shepherd Sanctuary, Inc. is a 501c3 non-profit organization. Since our start in 2011, it has been their mission to provide the best possible long-term care for displaced Senior German Shepherds. It is their philosophy that these loving, and often overlooked displaced senior German Shepherds have the opportunity to live the best possible life that we can offer. They are just as deserving as their younger counterparts. “We are that place in the country where old dogs come to retire!”
- The Sanctuary for Senior Dogs – Cleveland, OH
Operating in the Cleveland area for 20 years, The Sanctuary for Senior Dogs specializes in rescuing and adopting older dogs. They are dedicated to finding forever homes for aged pups either abandoned in a shelter after an owner’s passing or forced to spend their lives on the streets as strays. All dogs at the sanctuary are spayed or neutered, given proper medical care and housed in a foster home before being adopted.
- Senior Dog Haven and Hospice – Wilmington, DE
The Senior Dog Haven and Hospice is where “grey muzzles are nuzzled.” This nonprofit all-volunteer organization re-homes dogs 7 years or older and also provides hospice care for terminally ill pups. Their thorough adoption screening process includes contacting references, a scheduled home visit and a one-week trial period to ensure pups and prospective owners are a perfect match.
- The Grey Muzzle Organization – Raleigh, NC
Sustained funding is one of the most critical factors in caring for senior dogs, and The Grey Muzzle Organization is dedicated to assisting in the process. Grey Muzzle provides money and resources to sanctuaries, shelters and rescues across the country that specialize in adopting senior dogs. Since 2008, it has raised close to $2 million dollars for dozens of nonprofit animal welfare organizations, and helped save the lives of thousands of elder pups. All funds are collected through public donations and distributed annually via grants.
- Senior Dog Sanctuary of Maryland – Maryland
Our Mission: To provide a safe haven for senior dogs who would otherwise face abandonment, neglect, or euthanasia.
- Good Old Tails Senior Animal Rescue – Hanover, PA
Good Old Tails Senior Animal Rescue was founded in 2015 by a small group of animal lovers. Years of rescue showed them that the senior demographic in shelters is often the most overlooked and highly euthanized. These animals are discarded because of failing health, new pets in the family, a lack of time for attention and care, and countless other reasons which Good Old Tails finds deplorable. Pets are a commitment for life, not until they are an inconvenience. We are dedicated to saving as many senior dogs and cats as we can, and providing them with love and care so that they can live out the rest of their days with dignity and happiness. Some of these animals may never leave the rescue, and their foster families will be the ones to say the last good-bye. Others will go on to find families of their own. Whatever the outcome, we have made the promise to them that they will never again be alone.
- Young at Heart Senior Pet Rescue – Woodstock, IL
In a perfect world, every senior pet would spend its twilight years surrounded by a loving family. But sadly, senior pets that end up in shelters often do not get that chance. Young at Heart Senior Pet Adoptions™ believes that Love Has No Age Limit™. Young at Heart’s mission is to provide senior dogs and cats with a safe haven to ensure they live with comfort, compassion, and companionship in their golden years.
- Frankie And Andy’s Place – Winder, Georgia
Frankie and Andy’s Place exists to provide a home and holistic care for senior dogs who were forsaken. They share their gifts of unconditional love and companionship with troubled humans to provide a healing collaboration between man and his best friend.
Frankie and Andy’s Place is a unique combination of senior dog shelter and emotional healing center for troubled humans. Two beautiful log cabins, nestled in a picturesque Barrow County woodland setting, Frankie and Andy’s Place is home to a small number of gentle, loving senior dogs who have been cast aside by their humans and yet who still have many valuable gifts to share. These gifts of sympathy, time, reassurance and unconditional love are then shared with troubled humans in an atmosphere of calm and acceptance to help them mend.
- Senior Dog Haven & Hospice – Wilmington, Delaware
The mission of Senior Dog Haven & Hospice is to rescue and re-home senior dogs (age 7 and older) and to offer hospice care to rescued senior dogs in our program. They are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that incorporated in June 2012. SDH&H is an all-volunteer foster based organization located in Delaware. Their goal is to be there for the older dogs who have been abandoned at a time in their life when their need for comfort, companionship and care is at its highest.
- Senior Hearts Rescue & Renewal – Bradfordwoods, Pennsylvania
Senior Hearts Rescue & Renewal (SHRR)l, founded in 2016, is a Pittsburgh, PA based 501(c)(3) 100% volunteer organization. With no facility or shelter, all senior dogs rescued reside in loving foster homes. SHRR saves old dogs from the shelter system in a five state area as well as directly from owners through the Home-to Home program in the local Pittsburgh community. Senior dogs are renewed through a proven medical, surgical, and emotional process. They are then placed in well-matched adoptive homes where they have a high quality rest of life. In just five years, SHRR has saved the lives of 600 senior dogs.
Senior Dog Rescues in Midwestern Region of the United States
- St. Louis Senior Dog Project – House Springs, Missouri
An all-volunteer non-profit organization, the St. Louis Senior Dog Project rescues dogs of all ages but focuses its adoption efforts on pups 5 years or older. Every senior pooch is spayed/neutered, vaccinated, dewormed, microchipped and provided with regular veterinary and dental care. Once you select a furry friend in need, the Project will review your application and conduct a phone interview within 72 hours. They also check references and contact your vet to ensure you can provide an environment suitable for a senior pet. Next, a meet-and-greet home visit is scheduled so you and your pooch of choice can spend some quality cuddle time together and go over any potential issues that need to be addressed. If your family is a match, your elderly bundle of joy will be delivered.
- Whispering Willows Senior Dog Sanctuary – Hermitage, Missouri
Whispering Willows Senior Dog Sanctuary Inc is a 501(c)(3) sanctuary providing a lifetime home for seriously senior dogs who need hospice care, allowing them to live out their lives in a home setting, regardless of the amount of time they have left. At Whispering Willows, love is whispered until the last breath.
- Top Dog Foundation – New Germany, Minnesota
- Home for Life Animal Sanctuary – Stillwater, Minnesota
Home for Life Animal Sanctuary houses more than 200 dogs and cats, including retired working canines, pets with special needs and animals surrendered by owners who are no longer able to provide the care they need to survive. The sanctuary’s doggy townhouses and cattery apartments are supplied with comfy beds, heated floors and plenty of windows so senior pets can snooze in the sunlight. However, these four-legged guests are eager to find permanent homes with loving families.
- Grey Face Rescue & Retirement – St. Cloud, Minnesota
Grey Face Rescue & Retirement focuses on animals age 7 and older. They accept all seniors into their rescue and hospice care. They don’t discriminate against specific breeds, medical conditions, behaviors or history – they believe all seniors deserve a second chance. Their volunteers work tirelessly to match each of our seniors with a specific foster for their continued care. They also seek special and educated adopters to give our seniors their forever homes.
- Albert’s Dog Lounge – Whitewater, Wisconsin,
Albert’s Dog Lounge is a foster-based rescue focused on providing loving homes to seniors, special needs, and hospice dogs. We help dogs in need from overcrowded shelters and also from local families who are no longer able to care for their pets. Albert’s Dog Lounge was established in 2017 with the vision to be the stepping stone to a new life for those dogs who are less likely to be rescued, adopted, or at a higher risk for euthanasia.
- Old Friends Senior Dog Sanctuary – Mt. Juiett, Tennessee
I hope that you were inspired by these amazing people doing great things for so many dogs.
Senior Dog Adoption FAQs
If you are interested in getting an older dog than the best place to get one is anywhere you can find one! Humane societies, local animal shelters and any of the senior dog rescue organizations that we discuss above are excellent places to start looking. There are also some breed specific rescue organizations that have senior dogs for adoption as well.
Least adoptable dogs include, Pit Bulls, Senior Dogs, disabled dogs and any dogs with health issues that need extra care. Senior dogs may have health issues but just being a senior does not mean the dog is unhealthy and they have plenty of love still left to give.
A dog is a senior dog if it is in the later 1/3 of their life so it really depends on the dogs breed and health what makes a dog a senior. For instance, many small breeds have a longer lifespan so they will have a later senior years.
If you are the caretaker of a Senior Dog check out our Celebrate Senior Dog Box, launching soon check it out here!