Will My Dog or Cat Go to Heaven?
Man has an affinity with animals that having pets in the household has become a natural thing. In the United States alone, the pet industry's market size has been estimated at $6.75 billion in 2016, with cats and dogs being the most preferred domesticated animals. This is not at all surprising considering that as early as 5,000 years ago, pharaohs have been known to keep cats and dogs.
One proof of our fondness for canine and feline friends is the thousands of online videos showing their funny and clever antics that have been viewed, liked and shared hundreds of millions of times. We have become attached to our cats and dogs like parents to their kids that it breaks our heart when it's time for them to leave.
Children are the most affected by the passing of pets so parents tell them that they have gone to doggie or kitty heaven. But that's just like saying there is Santa Claus just to comfort them. So, will my dog or cat go to heaven, you ask? Let's see what the Bible says.
Get Our Latest News for FREE
The Bible is silent on the subject so we will have to interpret the purpose of animals based on its passages. Genesis tells us that God created both man and animals as breathing creatures. The similarity ends there, though, because man is special, having been created in God's own image (Genesis 1:26–27).
Having been made in God's own likeness and image, man shares a special bond and relationship with his Creator, which dogs and cats don't have. God does care for animals (Matthew 6:26), but He gave man dominion over the earth including the creatures on it (Genesis 1:28).
One law handed down by God that distinguishes man from animal is the prohibition to take away man's life (Exodus 20:13). While animals can be killed for food and sacrifice (2 Peter 2:12), man is prohibited from killing his fellow man. From these principles, we can draw a conclusion that God's plan for man extends even in the afterlife, but not so much for animals.
Some would argue that animals have souls, too, which is probable since they also have feelings of love, affection, anger, aggression, stubbornness, fear and even free will. However, it may be noted that they are incapable of spirituality, which is a prerequisite for eternal life.
God created both man and animals for distinct purposes. Man is supposed to serve God as a steward to His creation and is special to earn a place in heaven. On the other hand, animals — including our beloved cats and dogs — serve as man's companion to help him in his labor and feed him as well.
