Dear Tim:

Your questions do not have one simple Bible passage to refer you to, and some of the answers rely on the original Hebrew and Greek. Can you read these languages or do you have access to a transliterated Bible?

In Genesis 1 and 2, we see that humans and other animals are all created as living souls (Hebrew: neh-fesh khah-yaw).

In Revelation 4 and 5 we see animals in heaven.

Psalm 104 for example shows God’s lovingkindness for the whole of creation, which includes the animals. God is a God of love and He looked back upon the whole of creation and said it was very good (Genesis 1:31)

God blessed the animals, as in Genesis 1:22. The form of blessing is not important. It what’s in your heart that God sees.

We hope this helps.

In the Love of the Lord,

Frank and Mary