Do Animals Have Souls?
A common question I receive after someone loses a beloved furry friend is whether animals have souls. The loss can feel devasting, and is, in part, because of the soul connection shared between human and animal.
Some years back, a client called for her first session. The moment I heard her voice, I knew she was suffering profound grief. I hadn’t brought my spirit guides in at that point, but I ventured a guess. “Have you just lost a child?” I asked her. “No,” she sobbed, “My dog just died, but I feel like I’ve lost my baby.”
This is in no way meant to trivialize the death of a child, but rather to emphasize the huge emotional connection we humans make with our furry family members. Yes, animals have souls, and your soul and theirs have likely shared many lifetimes together, making the two of you soulmates.
Why Do Some Feel More Strongly Connected to Animals Than Others?
Because not everyone has the same ability to relate to animals, and it can be hard grieving the loss of a pet around people who don’t make such deep connections. They may act like you’re being over-sensitive or making a big deal about nothing.
The humans who have the strongest connection with animals are those with pronounced talents for intuition and empathy. These past-life abilities allow for a kind of telepathic communication.
The talent for intuition is as it sounds. The talent for empathy is a little more complex.
The Past-Life Talent for Empathy.
My spirit guides describe the talent for Empathy as (amongst other things) the ability to pick up on non-verbal emotional signals. It’s often particularly strong in those who have worked in past lives with animals, children, or those who can’t easily express themselves verbally.
Fluffy and Rover are drawn to people with this talent because they feel understood by them. It’s a two-way street. We humans are attracted to the animals we’re meant to know in this lifetime.
When you go to the rescue center or the store to find a puppy for the kids, or when a friend’s cat has just had kittens and you agree to take one, the spirit guides are working on the other side to make sure you get the one you’re meant to.
Usually, the pet you end up with will be one you’ve known before – a soulmate or “old friend,” as my spirit guides would say.
How Your Soul Reconnects With Your Animal Soulmate(s).
While on the Astral Plane (in between lives), Fluffy’s soul sees you choosing a cat, maybe months before you actually do. It then says, “Okay that’s the one! I’ll come into the Physical Plane as Fluffy, and that way I’ll have the owners I want.” (Not that Fluffy sees you as her owner. Servant might be a more appropriate word.)
The next thing you know, Fluffy is back with the same humans she’s known from previous incarnations. And because the lives of cats and dogs are shorter than ours, she might have been with you earlier in this lifetime. It could be another opportunity for Fluffy to enjoy the sense of familiarity and safety that comes from being in your company again.
One you’re reunited, if you have a talent for Empathy and you pay attention, you can learn to hear Fluffy’s small still voice, which should make her very happy. And it’s not that hard once you get used to it.
Her repertoire is somewhat on the limited side. She’s unlikely to be asking what you thought of the latest blockbuster movie. She’s probably just telling you she likes the new catnip mouse you bought her, or maybe she’s just saying, “I love you.”
Yes, Animals Have Souls.
Cats and dogs have souls, they’re just not quite as advanced as ours.
We have Stage Three consciousness (currently undergoing the shift to Stage Four), while most other large mammals have a more instinct-based Stage Two soul. Which is not a bad thing. Though Fluffy will never learn to write beautiful poetry or create figurative art, she won’t screw the economy with credit default swaps either.
Soul-to-soul contact is a beautiful thing, whether it’s between two humans or you and your pet.
Cats and dogs (and other animals) teach us a great deal about compassion by creating invisible, soul-level bonds between their world and ours.
And though we may mourn their departure and feel gut-wrenching sadness when they pass over to the Astral Plane, few of us would ever wish we’d never had them in our lives.
If you’ve lost a beloved pet, I hope it brings you comfort to know that – when you’re ready – if you ask the spirit world to reunite you and your furry soulmate, the request will always be granted.
***
Do other mammals have souls? Should we eat meat?
Do you eat meat?
This us something I am struggling with- eating meat. I enjoy the taste and crave the fat, but feel maybe I shouldn’t be doing this.
Hi, Leslie. I struggled with the same questions and ultimately decided to stop eating meat altogether (and very little dairy/eggs). That was 20+ years ago and I’m so glad I made that choice. It’s a tricky thing because I can’t and won’t judge what other people choose to do–especially because I miss the taste of meat SO MUCH. (Really.) Most of my friends and family eat meat; that is their journey. No matter how delicious meat is (and, wow, did I mention that I miss the taste?), there are some serious ethical issues to consider when you’re talking about eating factory-farmed meat. For me, those ethical considerations took precedence over my taste buds, and I am at peace with my decision. I know that being of service to (and compassionate toward) animals is part of my soul’s journey in this lifetime. Everyone is different though, and this is a very personal decision. Maybe ask your soul guides about these issues, and see what they say for you. I remember this struggle well, and I hope you find answers for your own situation soon!
I agree with you and I struggle with how humanely animals are
dealt with to become part of my
food chain. I read something a
few years ago that made me
feel better. The article said that
when animals die, b/c there is no
resistance, they reincarnate almost instantly. The soul quickly
moves on to another life. So at
the time of death the soul exits,
long before the remains enter the
food chain. Ainslie can you
comment on this? (After writing
this, I must say that meat loses its appeal).
Hi Joan,
I learned from Abraham (Esther Hicks) that pets have no resistance to moving on as they look forward to new lives particularly if they are ill or are struggling due to age. From a Native American Shaman I learned that animals that we typically use as a food source understand that it is their mission to do this. We should acknowledge their giving to us by giving back via humane treatment and respect while they and their counterparts are living. Hope this helps, it sure helped me.
Angela
Beautiful Angela
Thank you so much for your beautiful words
I always knew our animals had souls and we will meet them at the Rainbow 🌈 bridge. I could not have children but the pets I have had throughout my life have brought me more happiness and joy than I can mentio n. See you all my babies when it is my time.
Hi Ainslie,
I lost my beloved dog a year ago. I was so devastated that I had to contact a medium friend of mine to have a conversation with my dog. She told me that she came into my life to help me with my spiritual development and at the same time, it helped her evolve because she wanted to change species. It was her last life as a dog. Do animals go through different species and then become human eventually? I would not find it hard to believe if it was the other way around, I find dogs more evolved than most humans.
Greetings Ainslie,
I’ve new here, but not new to your work or to this planet. I so appreciate your information on this subject. Not half an hour ago I found myself talking to my beloved and precious Taunee (Siamese) who passed almost four months ago and still I miss her deeply after 12 years of sharing our lives. Shortly after her passing I communicated with her via an animal communicator – Taunee isn’t coming back, amongst many lovely things, she also said I need a cat in my life and she would help me find the right one. I found two! They’ll be coming home in two weeks, I’ve been talking with them, but hadn’t anticipated that perhaps they’ve already been with me as you suggest – they must have as I already love them so much. I also hadn’t considered that perhaps my ability to communicate with animals isn’t limited to just Taunee – everyone noticed that we had an amazing connection especially surprising since I had never had a cat and didn’t care for them. That’s all changed!
Again thanks so much and I’m looking forward to learning, growing and loving via SoulWorld!
Blessings,
Angela
Wonderful article…. just what I was feeling…and this confirms it… Angus McGee has been with us before and will again… I worry a bit about his cat… Zephyr McGee… But sense they understand to live in the NOW and when that time comes to send Angus into the light… we will all carry on….
Many blessings,
Michelle
Hi Ainslie, Could you say more about stage 4 consciousness?
Thank you, Anslie, for this article. Thank you, Angela for sharing the wisdom of the Native American Shaman on food animals. I learned the same thing from chickens years ago. The choose to incarnate into beings that will serve the One. It is an enormous gift of love that if understood would end factory farming overnight. Far from being inferior to us, animals mirror the wisdom of the larger life. They are our teachers.
Here is a blog on my own struggle with diet, how it impacts animals and our planet, and how I’ve come to terms with it:
https://fieldquestions.com/2012/11/26/the-animal-lovers-dilemma/
I share it only to help those who struggle with diet or feel judgment toward others who eat differently, not to encourage a particular diet. Whatever you eat, give joyful gratitude. Animals teach us that death is simply the way of all life. Violence and lack of gratitude are the core problems when it comes to producing food. Love to all of you on your journey to Self discovery.
I think you make some excellent points in what is truly a marvelous, well written, and thought-provoking blog post, Elizabeth. I hope your article reaches a lot of people.
Thank you, Ainslie!
What a spectacular article, Elizabeth! You did a great job at capturing much of what I’ve thought and experienced over the years in regards to the food I eat, and my related footprint. Thank you so much for sharing this!!
Thank you, Christine!
I highly recommend the movie that is out now called “A Dog’s Purpose” It really connects with this post.
Thanks Lee, I’ll check it out!
It absolutely does!! This movie touched my heart and soul! Make sure you have a box of tissues lol!!
This is a lovely article Ainslie on our beloved pet counterparts. Thank you for posting.
I’m glad you liked it!
I just lost my dog Saige yesterday. Thank you for this article it was perfect timing! My bestfriend will always remain in my heart!!!
Bless you Carolyn, and Saige.
Thank you for this article Ainslie! I suffered a lot when my Teo died in 2012 and a lot of people
thought it was ridiculous, but I know the many others fell the same. I always thought that animals have souls and feel and maybe even see spirits.
I will be seeing you and Christin again tomorrow for your lovely Sunday spiritual gathering.
I really enjoy it.
Thanks again and all the best,
Marzia
Happy to hear that, thank you Marzia.