Senior Dogs for Adoption in The Villages, FL: 8 Older Dogs Looking for a Home
By Dogs of the Day · Updated

Rescues and shelters within 50 miles of The Villages have 65 senior dogs up for adoption. Here are the 8 newest, each with photos, their story and how to reach the rescue looking after them.
Senior dogs are often the gentlest companions and the slowest to find homes. Many arrive at rescues after their owner died or moved into care, and they deserve a comfortable home for their golden years.
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1. Lex
Senior (8 years 9 months) · Male · Beagle · 25 mi from The Villages










Lex is good with dogs, cats, and even chickens, but not a fan of the new crawling baby. Lex's family had loved him since he was a puppy but made the difficult decision to reach out to Southeast Beagle Rescue to find him a loving home. He has pleasantly suprised us with his vitality as he's still active enough to give squirrels a good chase and jumps for joy when he sees a leash... and he is pretty good on leash! He has enough energy to be fun but not so much that it's overwhelming. He's also shown us that he is able to handle new situations well. He was used to home-cooked meals (loves broccoli and oranges and of course chicken).
Read more about Lex
He was also used to having a dog door where he could go in and out as he pleased. But he's learning to gradually enjoy a bit of kibble now and then and also to ask to go out and come back in. We would really like to see him in a home with a fenced yard and a dog door again though. Lex wants to be around his people and is often curious to see what they are doing, but he is not a velcro dog and doesn't get stressed when foster mom is out of his sight. He is however very vocal and will let you know quickly if someone is walking down street. Lex's que to crate up is "Go home, Lex," and he is comfortable sleeping in his crate at night. But one thing that's especially important to him is having his blanket. He loves putting his nose underneath it and sometimes covers himself almost completely. Lex is usually a confident dog and isn't bothered by thunderstorms, fireworks, or loud noises. He's a smart boy and knows quite a few commands and tricks! He understands "Sit," "Lay down," "Come here," and "Leave it." He also knows "High five" and "Roll over." One of his fun tricks is "1, 2, 3, catch!" He knows to get ready to catch something when he hears the countdown. Lex can have that beagle stubborn streak and does not like being pushed off of furniture. Instead when he needs to follow directions, he responds to a countdown of "5, 4, 3, 2, 1 and of course chicken. This gorgeous guy is fully vetted and ready to go on sleepover.
- No young kids
- Good with dogs
- Good with cats
- House-trained
2. Struesel
Senior · Male · Schnauzer / Mixed · 32 mi from The Villages




At 15 years old and 18 pounds, Struesel is a sweet little Schnauzer mix who has mastered the art of being absolutely lovable! This gentle senior boy is loving, curious, and happiest when he can curl up with his people.Struesel may be a senior, but he still has plenty of curiosity about the world around him. He enjoys taking things in at his own pace and being part of whatever his people are doing. Most of all, he simply wants to feel loved, safe, and cherished.This adorable little guy has so much love left to give and would make a wonderful companion for someone looking for a sweet, affectionate and loyal little friend.
Read more about Struesel
Struesel is ready to spend his golden years surrounded by love—and he deserves nothing less. PLEASE NOTE: All your current pets must be spayed/neutered, vaccinated and on heartworm prevention to adopt from Polka Dogz. We only adopt in Florida. All adoption fees go to help all the dogs in the rescue, some of which require extensive medical care. Thank you for caring for the greater good. Adoption fee is $150 and you can adopt me at www.polkadogz.org.
- Good with dogs
3. Theresa
Senior (10 years 1 month) · Female · Beagle · 25 mi from The Villages










Theresa LOVES to cuddle and she seems to be especially fond of her foster dad! Being near her people is definitely one of her favorite places to be. She fit right in upon arriving at her foster home, learned the doggie door quickly, and appears to be fully housebroken. She is fine being crated when the family is gone and also at night she sleeps in her crate in the bedroom. Of course… if she had it her way, she’d be snuggled up on the bed with you! She settles down easily and is just happy to be with you. She gets along great with the other dogs in her foster home and we think she would enjoy having a canine friend.
Read more about Theresa
She has a healthy respect for cats, she finds them fascinating but stays away from them. Theresa loves toys and is always ready for some fun. She’s respectful of the house — she’s only been caught chewing on something that wasn’t hers once. She enjoys exploring the backyard and taking in all the interesting smells and sounds around her. She’s sweet, affectionate, easy to live with, and has so much love to give. She doesn’t need a perfect home — she just needs a forever home where she can be loved, included, and allowed to be the cuddly, happy girl she is. Don’t let this beautiful girl get overlooked. She is ready to be someone’s very special dog — and someone is going to be incredibly lucky to call her theirs. She is heartworm negative and ready for a sleepover!
- Good with dogs
- Good with cats
- House-trained
4. Cotton Ball
Senior · Male · Bichon Frise · 32 mi from The Villages




Meet Cotton Ball, a 17-year-old Bichon with a heart full of love and a zest for life! This sweet, spunky senior boy may be a little older, but he certainly hasn’t lost his playful spirit. Cotton Ball enjoys having fun, loves a good nap, and is happiest when he’s getting attention and enjoying life’s simple pleasures.He’s proof that age is just a number, and he’s ready to spend his golden years surrounded by love, comfort, and a family who will cherish his sweet personality. If you’re looking for a special senior who still has plenty of personality and love to give, Cotton Ball may be your perfect little companion! PLEASE NOTE: All your current pets must be spayed/neutered, vaccinated and on heartworm prevention to adopt from Polka Dogz.
Read more about Cotton Ball
We only adopt in Florida. All adoption fees go to help all the dogs in the rescue, some of which require extensive medical care. Thank you for caring for the greater good. Adoption fee is $150 and you can adopt me at www.polkadogz.org.
- Good with kids
- Good with dogs
5. Chuey
Senior · Male · Labrador Retriever · 32 mi from The Villages




Chuey is a 10-year-old Labradoodle with a heart full of love and a personality that will make you smile! Don’t let his age fool you—this sweet boy is still spunky, playful, fun, happy, and full of energy. Chuey loves enjoying life and is always ready for some fun and adventure.He’s the kind of boy who brings happiness wherever he goes and would love nothing more than to find a family who will shower him with love and let him enjoy all the good things life has to offer. If you’re looking for a sweet senior with a playful spirit and plenty of personality, Chuey may be your perfect match! PLEASE NOTE: All your current pets must be spayed/neutered, vaccinated and on heartworm prevention to adopt from Polka Dogz.
Read more about Chuey
We only adopt in Florida. All adoption fees go to help all the dogs in the rescue, some of which require extensive medical care. Thank you for caring for the greater good. Adoption fee is $400 and you can adopt me at www.polkadogz.org.
- Good with dogs
- House-trained
6. Patience
Senior (8 years 2 months) · Female · Beagle · 25 mi from The Villages






*ADOPTION FEE SPONSORED BY: ACCORDING TO ELLIE *Patience is kind of the Betty White of Dogdom. She is sweetly innocent, always cheerful with a wagging tail, but there's a mischievous glint in her eye that says she's ready to play the clown and get goofy. She definitely has a joie de vivre. Her name is really appropriate for a couple of reasons. She most likely had a past that required forbearance and long-suffering. Probably had a lot of babies. It also takes patience to walk her as this girl is not going anywhere fast AND wants to smell everything along the way. She is great at going potty outside but you do have to make sure she goes outside regularly.
Read more about Patience
She is extremely food motivated so the tiniest little treat will get her on her way out the door. She is friendly to other dogs but doesn't really need them around. She appreciates so much the kindness shown to her and petting and belly rubs of course are very obviously enjoyed. She is fine being crated and will not eliminate in the crate. She occasionally gives a funny little bark but she's mostly very quiet. She has had a good dental cleaning with only 4 extractions along with a few growths removed - two around her eye which concerned us just because of their location.This lovely senior girl is negative for heartworms but does have a little arthritis and a heart murmur. She is currently taking Dasaquin and she recently had an echocardiogram for her heart murmur and she is maintaining heart function well on Vetmedin and Benazepril. Patience is a calm and quiet companion to share life with and providing for her in her later years would be a gift.
- Good with kids
- Good with dogs
- Good with cats
- House-trained
7. Barnett
Senior (12 years 3 months) · Male · Beagle · 25 mi from The Villages










*ADOPTION FEE SPONSORED BY: ACCORDING TO ELLIE *Barnett may be an older gentleman but he has such a young spirit! He is active, seeks out and engages with his humans and loves to explore the backyard in his foster home. He's such a happy boy and his tail is always wagging! Barnett has mastered the doggie door and his house training is going well, although not perfect yet. Foster mom is taking him to weekly obedience classes to socialize and he's quickly learning come and sit. He is doing well walking on a leash too. We are hoping he will also learn stay, wait, and leave it ...we will see! When Barnett meets new people he gets excited but calms quickly, and on walks he has been friendly with all the dogs we've introduced him to, even if they were not as friendly or welcoming to him.
Read more about Barnett
However, we do believe that Barnett will do best as an only dog. He shows occasional curiosity towards the cat, but redirects easily. He has also done well interacting with children. He has spotted squirrels, frogs and lizards in the yard and loves chasing them yet has never gotten close to catching them. He likes bones or bully sticks and will carry them around with him, and he occasionally plays with stuffed toys. He is VERY food motivated!! At night Barnett sleeps in his doggie bed or crate in his foster mom's bedroom or on her bed. When foster mom leaves for work, Barnett does bark and has some anxiety if he sees her leave, so she gives him a frozen dog treat or toy to distract him for a while. If he doesn’t see her leave, he transitions well to being alone. In the beginning, Barnett was not really a lap dog, but the longer he is in his foster home, the more affectionate he is becoming! He loves head scratches and praise and is starting to want snuggle and curl up with foster mom to nap. We would really like to see Barnett in a home that can show patience and kindness and also maybe provide him a fenced yard where he can explore. SPECIAL NOTE: Barnett is heartworm positive and, after doing x-rays, we were advised to do Doxycycline and Proheart and retest him in 9 months, and not to do the injections at this time. We would still love to see him get adopted and would certainly be willing to discuss his treatment plan and possibly making our future financial support for that a provision of the Adoption Agreement.
- Good with kids
- Good with dogs
- Good with cats
- House-trained
8. Snowee
Senior · Male · Terrier / Mixed · 32 mi from The Villages




At 12 years young, Snowee is proof that the best companions only get sweeter with age. This handsome Terrier mix is a gentle, loving soul who forms a special bond with his person and will happily follow you from room to room, just content to be by your side.Snowee is the perfect blend of calm and playful. He enjoys leisurely walks and has wonderful leash manners, making him an excellent walking companion. When playtime is over, he's more than happy to curl up next to you for cuddles and quiet companionship. He's not a big barker and has a peaceful nature that makes him a joy to have around the house.Though Snowee is hard of hearing, it doesn't slow him down one bit.
Read more about Snowee
He's adapted beautifully and is also pee pad trained, making him an easy and comfortable addition to many different types of homes. All Snowee wants is a cozy bed, a loving family, and someone to share his golden years with.If you're looking for a loyal best friend with a heart full of love, Snowee is ready to make your house a home.PLEASE NOTE: All your current pets must be spayed/neutered, vaccinated and on heartworm prevention to adopt from Polka Dogz. We only adopt in Florida. All adoption fees go to help all the dogs in the rescue, some of which require extensive medical care. Thank you for caring for the greater good. Adoption fee is $300 and you can adopt me at www.polkadogz.org.
- Good with dogs
Adopting a senior dog in The Villages
Older dogs are usually calm, affectionate and happy with shorter walks, which makes them a good match for older adults and first-time dog owners.
Ask the rescue about the dog's health and vet history. Many rescues charge less to adopt a senior dog.
Many small dogs live to 15 or older, so a senior dog can still be part of your family for years.
Rescues with senior dogs near The Villages
- SouthEast Beagle Rescue Inc.Dunnellon, FL · 4 senior dogs above
- Polka Dogz Pet REscue, INc.oakland, fl · 4 senior dogs above
Questions about adopting senior dogs in The Villages
How many senior dogs are up for adoption in The Villages?
As of November 4, 2026, rescues and shelters within 50 miles of The Villages, Florida, have 65 senior dogs up for adoption. The list is updated every day.
Where can I adopt a senior dog in The Villages?
The rescues with the most senior dogs near The Villages right now are SouthEast Beagle Rescue Inc. (Dunnellon, FL) and Polka Dogz Pet REscue, INc. (oakland, fl). Each dog above has the rescue's phone number and website.
How old is a senior dog?
It depends on their size. Large and giant breeds are usually counted as seniors from about seven years old, and small dogs from about ten. Many small dogs live to 15 or older, so an older dog can still have plenty of years ahead.
Listings are updated daily. Rescues are responsible for their own listings; a dog may have been adopted since this page was updated.