PETS IN HEAVEN?

Do pets get to go to heaven? In a recent “Dear Abby” advice column, a reader wrote in about their pet who had just passed away, and a devastating response she received from a religious friend. Here is the full account:

“DEAR ABBY: My cat recently passed away, and it has devastated me.

He was my emotional support during some of the hardest times of my life — relationships ending, moving to different states, deaths in my family, lonely nights battling depression. My cat was my one constant source of peace and companionship. I miss him dearly.

When I mentioned to some friends that I’m looking forward to reuniting with him one day in the “hereafter,” a religious friend scoffed and laughed. She then proceeded to tell me cats do not have souls and I shouldn’t get my hopes up of ever seeing him again.

I managed a small shrug and changed the subject, but on the drive home I was depressed, thinking about what she’d said.

Upon further research, I found that, according to Catholicism, she was correct, and animals do not have souls, which has made me heartbroken all over again.

Should I consult a religious adviser or continue believing I’ll see my cat again?

I have to think that people who have no friends or family but do have beloved pets will be reunited with them. Lots of times, our pets are the only family we have.”

Pastor Responds
After it was published, a pastor who happened to read the column responded to the story:

“I have been an ordained pastor for 27 years. Last summer my cat, Fred, who had been with me for 11 years, died. I claim no deeper or higher connection to God than anyone else, but I do know this: The Bible says that God is a God of love — indeed, that God is love.

I know of no more loving companions than pets. Dogs and cats express their love for us humans far better than most of us humans do for each other. I also know that Fred, who just showed up at my house one night and adopted me, taught me many lessons about how to love and be loved.

I am certain God sent Fred into my life to prepare me for marriage after 55 years as a bachelor. I am a better husband (and pastor) because of Fred. Therefore, I cannot imagine God not inviting, even welcoming, Fred into some sort of heavenly afterlife, whatever that may look like.

Love never dies, and I don’t believe that the loving relationship between a pet and their human ends at death.”

Do All Pets Go to Heaven?
As the advice column indicates, there’s substantial disagreement on this question. It may also depend on the religion of the person you ask – beliefs on the subject vary from one faith to another. Here’s a breakdown of how a few major religions approach the idea of pets in the afterlife:

1. Christianity
In Christianity, whether pets like cats and dogs go to heaven is hotly debated, as animals are not traditionally believed to have immortal souls like humans.

Catholicism: Historically, Catholic theology has taught that animals, lacking rational souls, do not have an afterlife. However, recent remarks by various Popes have left room for hope. Pope Francis, in particular, suggested that God’s love for creation might mean that animals could be part of a renewed creation in the afterlife, though this is not official doctrine...read more