Do Pets Go to Heaven? A Biblical and Pastoral Perspective
We love our pets. They are our friends, our companions, and our furry family members. But we sometimes loose our greatest companions, bringing us to grief and causing those of us who believe in life after death to ask: Will I see my pet again in heaven? For many, the question is not just an academic one; it’s deeply emotional, filled with grief, hope, and love. Whether it's a dog who was like a sibling, a cat who never left your lap, or a horse you raised from birth, the bond we share with animals is often meaningful and deeply personal.
While Scripture doesn’t offer a direct, black-and-white answer to this question, Christian tradition does provide meaningful insight. And when explored thoughtfully, the question of animals in heaven becomes not only answerable, but deeply comforting.
First, it’s important to acknowledge that the Bible doesn’t specifically say, “Your pets will be in heaven.” But that doesn't mean the Bible is necessarily silent on the matter. In Genesis 1, animals are part of God’s very good creation. In Isaiah 11:6–9, we glimpse a vision of the peaceable kingdom: "The wolf shall dwell with the lamb… and a little child shall lead them." This passage speaks of a restored creation where predator and prey live in harmony, strong imagery that includes animals within God's redemptive future. Of course, it should be noted that this passage can be seen metaphorically as a peaceful creation, rather than one of conflict and strife. But it does lead to the potential that animals could be a part of the restored order. In Romans 8:19–22, Paul says that all creation, not just humans, groans and longs for the day of redemption. This groaning includes animals. Paul is clear: the fall affected more than just humanity, and by extension, so too will redemption.
One of the theological sticking points is whether animals have souls, and if so, what kind. The question of what exactly a soul is would be a topic better left for another post. But we will move on from that for now. Thomas Aquinas, in his Summa Theologiae, distinguishes between different types of souls:
Vegetative souls (plants): capable of growth and reproduction.
Sensitive souls (animals): capable of perception, emotion, and desire.
Rational souls (humans): capable of reason, self-awareness, and moral choice.
Aquinas affirms that animals do have souls, but they are not immortal in the same way human souls are. That is, animal souls do not survive death by their own nature. However, this does not mean they are excluded from resurrection or restoration. For Aquinas, and many theologians who follow him, God is free to re-create or resurrect animals in the new heaven and new earth. We may be bound by what God has revealed, but he Himself is not and could bring back beloved animals if he so chose, for the joy and happiness of us, his children.
Put simply: animals don’t “go to heaven” by nature, but they could certainly be present in heaven by divine grace and creative love.
The early Church Fathers did not write much about animals in heaven, likely because their focus was primarily on human salvation and Christology. They had larger, dogmatic issues to handle, rather than the pastoral concerns we would have regarding beloved pets. However, hints of hope appear throughout Christian history.
C.S. Lewis, in The Problem of Pain, suggests that animals may participate in heaven through their relationship with humans. If a pet has bonded with a redeemed human, it may find its place in the afterlife, not on its own merit, but through grace extended via its master. Additionally, John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, believed animals would be restored in the new creation. In his sermon “The General Deliverance,” Wesley argued that animals would be redeemed, renewed, and enjoy eternal happiness alongside humans. Even Martin Luther, when asked about pets, reportedly comforted children with the idea that yes, God could, and perhaps would, restore their beloved animals.
Philosophically, if heaven is the fulfillment of all things in Christ, i.e., the complete restoration of creation, why would it exclude the creatures we’ve loved and cared for? God, in His goodness, doesn’t just redeem individuals; He redeems communities, ecosystems, and histories. A heaven that includes renewed trees, rivers, and cities (Revelation 22) could certainly include animals, especially those who were part of our earthly journey and were beloved by us in the deepest parts of our hearts.
And if, as theologians have long said, heaven is a place where “every tear will be wiped away” (Revelation 21:4), might not one of those tears be for the loss of a beloved animal? Would a loving Father, who knows the depth of our affections, simply dismiss that grief? Heaven may include the reunion of those long gone before us, family members and friends, both the human and four-legged kind.
If you’re reading this because you’ve lost a pet, let me say this clearly, from the bottom of my heart: Your grief is valid. The sorrow you feel isn’t silly or shallow. It’s real, and it matters to God. He sees your pain, your grief, and he loves you through it more than you can hope or imagine. God created animals. He delights in them (Psalm 104). He cares for the sparrows (Matthew 10:29). He preserved animals in the ark. And in the end, He promises to make all things new, not just all people, but all things (Revelation 21:5).
This grief, however strong, is not just for adults. I am sure we all remember saying goodbye to a beloved childhood pet. I remember very well Dante, a Rhodesian Ridgeback I picked out when I was younger from a litter of puppies, who is no longer with us. We had to put him down due to an unfortunate incident when he attacked me, giving me scars I still have today. It wasn’t his fault, not completely. Despite that incident, I still loved that dog. If you struggle with explaining these concepts to your child, I hope I can help. For children, especially, the death of a pet may be their first real encounter with loss. Here’s how you might explain it, gently and truthfully:
“God loves all His creatures. He made your pet, and He knows how much you loved them. While we don’t know exactly what heaven will be like, we do know that it will be a place of joy and reunion, where we don’t have to say goodbye anymore. If seeing your pet again would make you happy, then it’s okay to hope for that, and I believe God understands that hope and he understands you want to see the pet again. God is like a good dad who loves you and loves your pet so much.”
Encourage them to pray. Invite them to thank God for their pet’s life. Let them grieve. And point them to Jesus, who comforts all who mourn.
So, do pets go to heaven? The Bible does not give us a categorical or systematic answer, but it gives us reason to hope.
From systematic theology, we see that animals are part of God’s plan. From church history, we find glimpses of comfort and thoughtful speculation. From philosophy, we reason that a God who created animals good and delightful may well re-create them in His eternal kingdom. And from the gospel itself, we know that nothing good in Christ is ever truly lost. All creation groans for redemption, and all creation will be restored. Does that restored creation include our beloved pets? I don’t know with any full certainty. But I really do hope I get to play fetch with Dante again.