Do Our Pets Go to Heaven?

Not long ago, my son’s beloved dog died. Cutty was a golden retriever, just turned twelve, and his passing raised the question in this blog’s title.

Those answering the question ‘yes’ cite the biblical passage in Isaiah prophesying of a new heaven and a new earth, where predator and prey will live in harmony. The implication: all animals will be present in heaven, including our pets.

Those answering ‘no’ argue that occupants of heaven need a soul to get there. Pets don’t have souls, the argument goes, because they lack the spiritual wherewithall to accept or reject God. No souls in pets, no pets in heaven.

I have not found conclusive proof to answer yes or no but cannot rule out either answer.

Harkening back to Isaiah 64:4, the Apostle Paul said about heaven, “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has in store for those who love Him.”

I believe that anything is possible with God and believe He has made heaven to be a place of unimaginable beauty and joy. Since pets generally give humans great joy, I’d like to think they will be in heaven for those humans who love God.