"Do Pets Go to Heaven"

Do Pets Go to Heaven

“Who knows the spirit of the sons of men, which goes upward, and the spirit of the animal,              which goes down to the earth?”       Ecclesiastes 3:21

 This is an age old question that some have asked me to answer.  However, there is not a simple answer, but with a search of scriptures and a few questions you may get some understanding.

In the beginning God created all life; man and woman, birds, fish and all animals and saw they were good.  After the fall of mankind, sin and evil dwelt on the earth.  That covered not only people, but animals as well.  Animals, fish and birds became a food source and men became hunters.  There was no thought or guilt for killing animals because they were part of man’s survival.

In very early times the Egyptians began to worship certain animals such as cats.  Even statues of them were worshipped.  Animals were the only way of transportation for many centuries, many of which are still used today in third world countries. 

As the world became more civilized, people wanted something live for companionship, so dogs and cats gradually became family pets.  Pets have become very helpful in healing of bodies, social anxieties and depression.  They also fill in the place of loneliness and grief.  They may take the place of children for those who never had any, or for those whose children have left the nest.  Most who have pets feel they are part of their family.

Sadly, pets don’t live to be very old and therefore pass on before their owners.  Then comes the grief and the difference between people and animals.  Now the big question: “Do pets go to heaven?”  The Bible tells us that those who have accepted Jesus as their Savior will go to heaven when they die, (John 3:15).  1) Can your dog or cat accept Jesus as their Savior?  2) Can pets have a relationship with Jesus?

There is a need here on earth for pets, but is there a need in heaven?  When we reach heaven we’ll find we don’t need anything.  Our God has provided it all.  Our body is not even going to be the same; we will have a spiritual body that needs nothing.  We will be able to go from place to place in an instant.  We will recognize on another, but will not live as husband and wife or owner and pet. Our body will be so different that we won’t have to eat or digest food. In 1 Corinthians 6:13, the Bible says, “Foods for the stomach and the stomach for foods, but God will destroy both it and them.” 

Some argue that there are other animals in heaven – and it’s true.  We know there are horses and creatures we have never seen, but are they solid bodies as they are on earth - I don’t think so.  God has given us so much to enjoy here on earth.  Think of how enjoyable it is to hear the birds sing, or to watch them fly here and there.  The variety of color in different birds is amazing.  Here in Michigan we have so many all summer, but in the fall they fly away.  That is how God designed them.  I believed God made cats and dogs and horses and other things to give us pleasure while we are on earth.

I have had several pets in my life that have passed on and I remember how dear they were to me.  I have always assumed they went back into the dust from which they were made.  I also know there is a difference in losing some person who is very dear to you and losing a pet.  The grief is not the same and the healing from loss is much shorter.

There is no absolute in the answer of the question, ‘do pets go to heaven?’  I suggest you pray and ask God to give you peace about the matter.  I know He will.