If you ever had a pet then you might just understand how their death is one of the hardest things a person can go through. For many of us, pets are family members, and it’s natural to wonder: Will I ever see them again? Where do they go when they die? If you’re looking to the Bible for answers, you’ll find that it doesn’t give a straightforward answer. But there are a few verses and ideas that can provide comfort and even a glimpse of hope for what may happen to animals when they pass on.

Do Animals Have Souls?

The Bible doesn’t speak directly about whether animals have souls the way humans do, but it’s clear that God cherishes and values every part of His creation, animals included. Genesis 1 describes how God created all living beings—plants, animals, and humans—and calls them “good.” The Hebrew word nephesh—often translated as “soul” or “living being”—is used for animals, suggesting that they, too, have a form of life and spirit, even if it’s different from the human soul.

According to Christian teaching, humans are unique because we’re made in God’s image, with a soul that seeks connection with Him. Still, recognizing that animals have a “soul” or “life force” reminds us that they’re more than just creatures; they’re an important part of God’s plan and are capable of experiencing love, companionship, and loyalty.

What Does the Bible Say About Animals and the Afterlife?

The Bible doesn’t give us a clear picture of what happens to animals after they die, but there are a few verses that suggest a future where all creation is made new:

• Ecclesiastes 3:19-21 reflects on the shared mortality of humans and animals, saying both “have the same breath; humans have no advantage over animals.” The writer even wonders whether the human spirit goes “upward” while the spirit of animals goes “downward”—an ancient expression of our shared mystery about what happens after death.

• Romans 8:21-22 gives a hint of hope, describing how “creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God.” Many theologians interpret this as a promise that all creation, including animals, will one day be renewed, redeemed from suffering and death. This hints at the possibility of animals existing in the restored creation God promises.

Could We See Our Pets in Heaven?

For anyone who’s loved a pet, the question of whether we’ll see them again is a deeply personal one. And while the Bible doesn’t directly address this, some passages and interpretations provide comfort.

• Isaiah 11:6-9 and Isaiah 65:25 paint a picture of a future “peaceable kingdom” where animals live in harmony with one another and with humanity: the wolf and lamb, leopard and goat, lion and calf all together. While this is often interpreted as symbolic, it shows a vision of a world where all of God’s creatures coexist in peace.

• Many Christian thinkers, including C.S. Lewis, have speculated that because God created animals to bring us joy, He may also bring them into heaven to share in that joy eternally. Psalm 104 celebrates God’s delight in all His creation, which could suggest that in His great love, God may choose to include animals in His eternal plan.

God’s Care for Every Creature

Even if we don’t have concrete answers, the Bible is clear that God deeply cares for every living being, humans and animals alike. Psalm 36:6 tells us, “You, Lord, preserve both people and animals.” Jesus himself tells us in Matthew 10:29 that God is mindful of even the smallest sparrow. Knowing that God’s love extends to each creature can be a source of comfort.

Some Christians find hope in the idea that, just as God plans to renew all creation, He could bring animals into eternity with us. Revelation 21:5 describes God’s promise to make “all things new.” Could “all things” mean the return of the animals we loved? It’s something to hope for.

Finding Peace and Trusting in God’s Love

It’s natural to miss the animals who were part of our lives and wonder about their place in the hereafter. Even though we don’t know exactly what happens, the Bible offers us the assurance of God’s love and goodness. As we hold onto these promises, we can find peace in knowing that the God who created and cares for all things holds both us and our pets in His hands.

And while we wait and wonder, we can cherish the time we have with our animals, knowing they are a beautiful gift from God, part of His wonderful creation. In their own way, they reflect a piece of His love and bring us joy that may, in God’s mysterious way, last forever. I for one, can’t wait to see my all of my fur-babies again if that would ever be possible.