What do the Scriptures say about our animals and the Kingdom of Heaven?

In Genesis 2:7, we see that the Lord God formed man from the dust of the earth, and in Genesis 2:19, we see that the Lord God formed every beast of the field and every bird of the air from the ground and brought them to the man so he could name them!

Ecclesiastes 3:16–21 says: “I have seen something else in this life: wickedness where judgments are passed, and wickedness where justice is administered. I thought then: ‘God will judge the righteous and the wicked, for there is a time for every deed and a place for every action.’ I also thought regarding mankind: ‘God is testing them, so that they themselves might realize they are like the animals. Humans end up just like animals; the destiny of both is the same, for both die alike, and the breath of life is the same for all, so man is not superior to animals.’ Truly, everything is absurd, and everything heads to the same place. Everything came from dust, and to dust everything shall return. ‘Who knows if the spirit of man ascends to the heights, and that of the animal descends into the depths of the earth?’” In other words, that last sentence refutes those who feel superior; this Scripture says that humans are no better than beasts, and I believe both can make the choice to open their spirits to the Spirit of God and enter the Kingdom of Heaven! Since I was spiritually reborn, I always say to my animals, “Jesus, come into my heart,” and they respond with a growl if they are dogs, a whistle if birds, or a meow if cats! (Those are the only types of animals I have ever owned!)

Another Scripture showing that they possess a soul is the following, where the Lord leads them in praise: “Praise the Lord from the earth, you sea monsters and all deeps… wild animals and livestock, creeping things and flying birds!” (Psalm 148:7-10). Pastor Jack Hayford once said in a sermon: “Just imagine Jesus—who, being God, humbled Himself to come to earth as a human. Now think about *you*—human beings—humbling yourselves to come to earth as a dog or another animal! So, can you imagine how animals feel, and how Jesus felt?” It was a humbling thought to hear!
The Lord says in Proverbs 12:10 that the righteous care for the needs of their beasts; in other words, we need to treat our animals—and their environment—with mercy!

GLORIOUS FUTURE
“For it was subjected to frustration.
This did not happen by its own will,
But by the will of the One who ordained it.
Yet there remains the firm hope that creation itself
Will be set free from the corruption that enslaves it,
To attain the glorious freedom of the children of God.
We know that all creation still groans together,
As if in the pains of childbirth.” (Romans 8:20-22)