Q&A: Will there be animals and pets in heaven?
Only people were created in the image of God. This special status is not true of any animal or even any angel.
Genesis 1:26–27 | Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, according to our likeness. They will rule the fish of the sea, the birds of the sky, the livestock, the whole earth, and the creatures that crawl on the earth.” So God created man in his own image; he created him in the image of God; he created them male and female. (CSB)
Because people are different from animals and angels, the promises of eternal life that are given to people do not necessarily apply to animals or angels.
People are unique and have a unique destiny.
Jesus became a person to die only for the souls of people.
Philippians 2:6–8 | [Jesus] who, existing in the form of God, did not consider equality with God as something to be exploited. Instead he emptied himself by assuming the form of a servant, taking on the likeness of humanity. And when he had come as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death— even to death on a cross. (CSB)
We are commanded to love and care for people in a way that does not include animals.
Matthew 19:19 | honor your father and your mother; and love your neighbor as yourself. (CSB)
While animals can have a kind of knowledge and intelligence, it is categorically different than a person's knowledge or intelligence.
Psalms 32:9 | Do not be like a horse or mule, without understanding, that must be controlled with bit and bridle or else it will not come near you. (CSB)
God does say that animals are good, and he owns the animals.
Genesis 1:25 | So God made the wildlife of the earth according to their kinds, the livestock according to their kinds, and all the creatures that crawl on the ground according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good. (CSB)
Psalms 50:10–11 | for every animal of the forest is mine, the cattle on a thousand hills. I know every bird of the mountains, and the creatures of the field are mine. (CSB)
God cares for animals.
Psalms 147:9 | He provides the animals with their food, and the young ravens what they cry for. (CSB)
Psalms 104:21 | The young lions roar for their prey and seek their food from God. (CSB)
Luke 12:6 | Aren’t five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten in God’s sight. (CSB)
Since we are created in the image of God and God cares for animals, it makes sense that we would love animals and have pets.
Pets...
2 Samuel 12:3 | but the poor man had nothing except one small ewe lamb that he had bought. He raised her, and she grew up with him and with his children. From his meager food she would eat, from his cup she would drink, and in his arms she would sleep. She was like a daughter to him. (CSB)
Care for animals...
Proverbs 12:10 | The righteous cares about his animal’s health, but even the merciful acts of the wicked are cruel. (CSB)
All animals are created to fear people and to be eaten by people.
Genesis 9:2–3 | The fear and terror of you will be in every living creature on the earth, every bird of the sky, every creature that crawls on the ground, and all the fish of the sea. They are placed under your authority. Every creature that lives and moves will be food for you; as I gave the green plants, I have given you everything. (CSB)
The Bible describes Heaven as including at least ten different kinds of animals.
Isaiah 11:6–9 | The wolf will dwell with the lamb, and the leopard will lie down with the goat. The calf, the young lion, and the fattened calf will be together, and a child will lead them. The cow and the bear will graze, their young ones will lie down together, and the lion will eat straw like cattle. An infant will play beside the cobra’s pit, and a toddler will put his hand into a snake’s den. They will not harm or destroy each other on my entire holy mountain, for the land will be as full of the knowledge of the Lord as the sea is filled with water. (CSB)
Isaiah 65:25 | The wolf and the lamb will feed together, and the lion will eat straw like cattle, but the serpent’s food will be dust! They will not do what is evil or destroy on my entire holy mountain,” says the Lord. (CSB)
The Bible never directly speaks of an animal being "resurrected," "saved," or having "eternal life." However, there are passages that some believe may indicate that animals and even pets do receive eternal life. The application of these verses to the eternal life of animals or pets is arguable.
Genesis 9:9–17
Romans 8:21–23
Revelation 5:13
Luke 3:6
2 Peter 3:5–7
My answer to the pets-in-heaven question:
While the Bible doesn't say anything about our personal pets being with us in heaven or give us any hint that our personal pets will live forever, the Bible does say that in heaven, we will have EVERYTHING needed to make us perfectly happy, joyful, and content.
We, as the only creatures who bear the image of God, will not lack anything in heaven or wish we had anything more than what the Lord will provide for us.
We will be perfectly and completely satisfied with heaven.
So, if it turns out that the restoration of a personal pet would add to our happiness in heaven (though I'm doubtful of this), then our pet will be with us in heaven!
My favorite pets-in-heaven quote...
Joni Eareckson Tada: If God brings our pets back to life, it wouldn’t surprise me. It would be just like Him. It would be totally in keeping with His generous character. . . . Exorbitant. Excessive. Extravagant in grace after grace. Of all the dazzling discoveries and ecstatic pleasures heaven will hold for us, the potential of seeing Scrappy would be pure whimsy—utterly, joyfully, surprisingly superfluous. . . . Heaven is going to be a place that will refract and reflect in as many ways as possible the goodness and joy of our great God, who delights in lavishing love on His children.
From Joni Eareckson Tada, Holiness in Hidden Places (Nashville: J. Countryman, 1999), 133.