Animals & Pets in Heaven? A Surprising Reflection on God’s Heart and Creation

This one is going to have an unexpected turn towards the end.

We know God created animals; they are an integral part of the creation process, put here first before man and woman, and established as a needed part of nature. God undoubtedly had an absolute blast with animals. There are just so many, every possible color known to man, shapes, sizes, squishiblity factor, functions, and quirks so unique that science is still scratching its head.

Ever watch swans? Did you know they mate for life and are monogamous? They show that to their mates with beautiful synchronized dances and intertwining their necks to make a heart shape.

God May Have “Pets”

Now, for this, I’m bordering on a wee touch of speculation here because of how we define a pet versus how God might for Himself in heaven. But all of this does go to my main point; I’m just entertaining you with some fun ideas first.

In Ezekiel 1, Ezekiel 10, Revelation 4, Revelation 6, Revelation 19, and possibly Isaiah 6, although I’m not sure on that one yet, that’s only there because of the wings part. There are creatures in heaven. Now, I’m not saying they are like our Dukes or Jaspers here on Earth, but they definitely have animal features and are plainly described looking like lions, eagles, horses, ox and there are, of course, lots of wings involved.

Why wouldn’t God have some kind of creatures in heaven? We have guard animals here on Earth that we love; we have all kinds of different roles animals play here on Earth.

We have all sorts of creatures here, granted, not quite as described in heaven, but that also makes sense. Heaven is very different from Earth; these creatures currently exist in a dimension, like angels and demons, that we do not inhabit. We don’t have a clue on how to begin to think about the dimension they live in.

Also, I do not find the Biblical descriptions from the writers weird, odd, or implausible in any way, never have, and I don’t believe the descriptions are “metaphorical” or “poetic.” 

Have you seen some of the animals on this planet and what they can do? 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aZvCwgJgm-Y

watchmojo.com (check out the guy at 2 min, 50 sec)

Why Is There Heartbreak In This?

First, I will firmly state that in no way am I taking away from Abel’s death and the tragedy and grief God felt when that happened. What I am doing is adding context that many have never thought about.

The first death was one of His other creations, an animal. 

Not only did He feel the break from humanity from Himself and felt the full weight they brought on themselves, but He had to sacrifice one of His creations so that Adam and Eve could be clothed.

God can grieve, just like we do; that wide variety of emotions we feel came from Him because we are created in HIS image. Imagine your creation (humans) willingly choosing to separate themselves from God. We know what our Heavenly reward is, we strive for it, we wait for it, we pray for it, we trust in it, and Adam and Eve walked away from what we know and want that is waiting for us.

That had to crush God’s heart. God hurts and grieves just like we do. 

He said, “Surely they are my people, children who will be true to me”; and so he became their Savior. In all their distress he too was distressed, and the angel of his presence saved them. In his love and mercy he redeemed them; he lifted them up and carried them all the days of old. Yet they rebelled and grieved his Holy Spirit. So he turned and became their enemy and he himself fought against them. Isaiah 63:8–10

Then, imagine that He had to make atonement for what they did, He had to look at His creation, choose one, and end its life so they could be clothed and atoned for.

Our Father Feels Everything

There is no planned-out theological ending to this article. This is more of a reflective piece. This is more of a think about this moment article. What we feel, our happiness, our sadness, our love, our body-shattering grief — that all came from God because He also feels these things.

I think too often we forget that He is our literal Father in Heaven, with a substance-type presence, with possible “pets” in heaven, and with a heart because He is love itself. Adam and Eve broke His heart, and then, to pour salt into the wound, it forced Him to make the first atonement and end the life of a completely innocent animal.

He regretted creating humanity by chapter six in Genesis. 

“The Lord regretted that he had made human beings on the earth, and his heart was deeply troubled.” Genesis 6:6 “Troubled” here means: To grieve, to hurt, to pain, to vex

And I don’t blame Him. 

As a mother, I understand the complexities that come with a child and that whole range of constant emotions. And God. He does that for EVERYONE. And not just everyone now, but everyone in the past and everyone yet to be born.

We often forget that God, in some ways, is just like us, heck Jesus joined us down here in an era of no toilet paper or refrigerators for about 30 years. He gets us, He understands more than we can possibly know or more than we give Him credit for. 

Each time we sin, or each time a person hardens their heart against Him and blots out their name in the book of life, God grieves, and yes, that is a choice to have your name blotted; your name was written in that book before you were a twinkle in someone's eye.

I have no idea if there are physical tears in the current Heaven that God sheds, but Jesus shed tears. He knows what pain is. 

Let's not cause Him more grief than He already has; let us go out and make disciples, let us crowd our new Heaven as full as we can. We know what our reward is, we know that death is not the end, but only the beginning. 

I wasn't kidding when I said this was going to go in an unexpected way. But you know what, I think this world needs a lot more of that and this kind of thinking and writing, because the old stuff doesn't seem to be doing the trick anymore.

Also, I don't know for sure if there will be pets (ours) or animals in heaven, but I consider these: “He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away. He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”

In Ecclesiastes 3:20–22, Solomon also asks the clearest question on this matter in the Bible, “All go to the same place; all come from dust, and to dust all return. 21 Who knows if the human spirit rises upward and if the spirit of the animal goes down into the earth?”

Then we have Romans 8:19–21, Isaiah 11:6–9, and Matthew 10:29.

We get new bodies, so why is it not possible that animals won’t? He loves them also.

© 2026 Jane Isley. Want more content like this? Explore more articles in Exploring Scripture.

Press Ctrl + P (Windows) or Cmd + P (Mac) to print this article or save.