God created both human beings and animals. Animals have the same breath of life as man. The only difference is that animals do not have a spirit or soul (Genesis 2:7). Everything God made is good and serves a purpose. When God made animals, He was pleased and said it was good (Genesis 1:24-25). However, the Bible does not explicitly suggest that God created animals to live forever or go to heaven when they die. 

We can use the institution of marriage to explain this. God also said that marriage was good and that man (Adam) should not live alone. Yet there is no marriage in heaven despite how good and lovely it is here on earth. We need to understand that whatever is good in this world may not be good for heavenly purposes. 

Luke 20:34-36 KJV

And Jesus answering said unto them, The children of this world marry, and are given in marriage: But they which shall be accounted worthy to obtain that world, and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry, nor are given in marriage: Neither can they die any more: for they are equal unto the angels; and are the children of God, being the children of the resurrection.

There are portions of the Bible that seem to indicate the huge difference between humanity and animals. Here are some things to consider before we finally answer the question “Do our pets go to heaven when they die?”

1. Animals Were Not Created in God’s image 

Nowhere in the Bible do we read that God created animals in His image and likeness. The only reference we find is that of humanity (Genesis 1:27). God chose to make man look, think and behave like Him. Animals don’t share in God’s nature; it is the special privilege of humanity. In addition, God gave human beings power to control animals. If animals were on the same level with humanity, God wouldn’t have given such authority to human beings. 

Genesis 1:26 KJV

And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.

2. Animal Were Used as Sacrifice 

Animals were used for sacrifices in the Old Testament. The generations closest to the time of creation sacrificed animals to appease God. It means that the idea that animals are lower beings started from the beginning. God Himself commanded the Israelites to use animals to atone for sins committed. God placed so much value on human beings that He strictly warned against human sacrifices and murder.

Genesis 9:5-6 KJV

And surely your blood of your lives will I require; at the hand of every beast will I require it, and at the hand of man; at the hand of every man’s brother will I require the life of man. Whoso sheddeth man’s blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man.

3. Animals Have Zero Spiritual Consciousness 

Throughout the Bible, God never asked animals to worship Him or have a relationship with the God of heaven. However, there is a few instances where God used animals for divine assignments. One of the examples was the case of Balaam (Numbers 22:21-33), and the other was the story of Jonah in Jonah 1:17. It is clear that these instances were for urgent reasons and not substantial proof that a spiritual relationship between God and animals existed. Humanity has always been God’s priority. These examples only show us that when human beings lose their way, God uses any means to bring them back in fellowship.. 

Psalm 50:13-15 KJV

Will I eat the flesh of bulls, or drink the blood of goats? Offer unto God thanksgiving; and pay thy vows unto the most High: And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.

4. Animals Have No Free Will

Animals cannot choose to do good or evil. They cannot love exactly as God intended for humanity. Animals can do only what humans train them for. The rescue dogs and friendly cats all behave just as we train them to. They have no sense of right and wrong. They do not understand what they do unlike human beings. This makes them unable to acknowledge their sins, confess them and repent. 

Ecclesiastes 3:21 KJV

Who knoweth the spirit of man that goeth upward, and the spirit of the beast that goeth downward to the earth?

Will There Be Pets in Heaven?

Heaven is for the redeemed and nothing unredeemed can enter there. However, we cannot fully understand the mind and plan of God. None of us knows exactly how heaven will be. We are only sure that it would be a place of peace, love and joy. If God so chooses, He can create animals in heaven. But there is no guarantee that we will meet the same beloved pets we had on earth. There is also no indication that we will see the same kinds of animals we have here. 

Examples are the animals John the Beloved saw and wrote about in Revelation 4:6-11. The descriptions of these animals were a little different to what we know and see on earth. It suggests to us that God can create any form of animals. He has the power to do so if it will achieve His eternal plan and purpose. However, only God knows what heaven really looks like. 

So do our pets go to heaven when they die? No, they have no spirit or soul that guarantees life after death. Once they die, they decay and are gone forever. But it is likely that we will meet some kinds of animals when we get to heaven.