Will we see our Pets in Heaven?
Today we said goodbye to our family cat.
He had been growing sicker and weaker, and we knew it was time to let him go. Even though it was the right decision, it was heartbreaking. It was painful to watch our kids say goodbye, and painful for my wife and me to see them grieving. Our cat was “unique” in many ways, and his uniqueness was often the subject of jokes in our family. It’s amazing how deeply animals become part of the family when we share our lives with them.
In the process of saying goodbye, one of our children asked a question many of us wrestle with at some point: “Do animals go to heaven? Will we see our pets again?”
Growing up, I was taught that when animals die, that’s simply the end—that only humans, made in the image of God, continue on. And for a long time, I accepted that. But after the death of a bunny one time which was hard on my daughter, I took it to God and simply asked, “Lord, what do You say about this?”
As I prayed, my thoughts were drawn to the Garden of Eden—a picture of creation exactly as God intended it to be. And in that perfect garden, there were animals everywhere. Adam was even given the responsibility of naming them. It struck me in a way it never had before: animals weren’t an afterthought. They were an intentional, meaningful part of God’s creation, made to dwell alongside us.
Sin changed that.
Genesis 3 tells us that when Adam and Eve disobeyed, the entire world—plants, animals, everything—fell under the curse of death and decay. One of the very first consequences was that animals had to die so that God could clothe Adam and Eve in their shame. From that moment on, the suffering of animals became tied directly to the brokenness of humanity.
But Scripture doesn’t leave creation without hope.
In Romans 8:18–21, Paul writes about suffering and the glory that will one day be revealed. Then he says something profound—not just about us, but about all of creation:
“For all creation is waiting eagerly for that future day when God will reveal who his children really are… With eager hope, the creation looks forward to the day when it will join God’s children in glorious freedom from death and decay.”
Creation is waiting.
Creation is longing.
And creation will one day experience freedom from death and decay along with us.
That is a stunning promise.
Throughout Scripture, God continually shows His care for animals. In Jonah 4, part of God’s compassion for Nineveh came from the fact that the city had many animals. In Matthew 10, Jesus reminds us that the Father notices even when a sparrow falls.
And then there’s the beautiful imagery in Isaiah 11:6, describing the world restored through Christ:
“In that day the wolf and the lamb will live together;
the leopard will lie down with the baby goat;
the calf and the yearling will be safe with the lion,
and a little child will lead them all.”
This isn’t just poetic language—it reflects creation restored to God’s original intention, just like Eden. A world where animals are at peace, where death and fear no longer exist. A world made whole again.
If creation itself is redeemed…
If animals are restored to what God intended from the beginning…
Then it is not hard to believe that the pets we have loved—those who brought joy, companionship, and comfort into our lives—will be part of that restored creation too.
So yes, I believe we will see our pets again in heaven.
If you’ve recently said goodbye to a beloved dog, cat, or any other pet—or if you still miss one you lost long ago—I pray this brings you comfort. Our God is kind. He is compassionate. And He cares about every part of His creation, including the animals we have loved so deeply.
One day, all things will be made new.
And I believe that includes them too.