Will My Dog or Cat (Animals) Go to Heaven? Do Pets Have Souls?
Question: Will my dog or cat or any animal go to heaven? Also, do pets have souls?
The Answer from Pastor Paul Holt: It is one of the more difficult questions I get because pets today have become like children to many people. We develop deep ties with our dogs and cats. So much so that we buy for them as we would our child.
The bible does not equate people with our pets. While both are described as having the breath of life (Genesis 2:7; Genesis 1:30; 6:17; 7:15, 22), only man is made in the image of God, animals are not. Because man is made in the image of God, he shares attributes such as the mind and the soul. Man was given a spiritual component that animals do not share.
Animals, including our dogs and cats, have been created with a mind and even emotions that remind us of human behavior but they lack the breath of God given to humans. That is why when the Lord caused all of the created order to pass before Adam to be named there was no creature suitable for man like the woman was.
That does not mean that in the messianic age or heaven we must be without animals, specifically pets such as dogs and cats. The Lord created us to enjoy the other life He created. When God created animals, He called them good (Genesis 1:25). There will most definitely be animals during the millennial kingdom (Isaiah 11:6; 65:25).
While I do not believe the pets we will have in heaven will be resurrected dogs and cats we enjoyed here on earth, I do believe the Lord will allow us to enjoy new pets to love.
Recommend Resources:
Grieving the Death of a Pet
Do you disagree with my opinion? It’s Ok, I can take it. Here is a book that does too, using scripture the author shows that we will see our pets in heaven.
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