Animal souls
Question from Alan on 2/28/2008:

I have encountered other Christians and some Catholics who claim that some animals (e.g., dogs) have immortal souls and will all enter heaven because of their inability to sin and invincible ignorance. Is this true?

Answer by Catholic Answers on 2/29/2008:
Alan--

Animals do have souls, but their souls are not spiritual, rational souls. Animal souls are material and an animal soul ceases to exist when the animal dies. Animals cannot sin not because they have "invincible ignorance" but because they do not have moral reason. Their actions are thus neither moral or immoral but morally neutral. As for the final destiny of animals, for more information please see the link below.

Recommended reading:

Do animals go to heaven?

Michelle Arnold
Catholic Answers