Parallel to environmentalism, animal rights groups have called for animals to be afforded human rights, or called for vegetarianism for all.

A Biblical Understanding of the Treatment of Animals

1. Humankind was made in the image of God (Gen 1:26-27). No other animal is said to be in God’s image. What this refers to is disputed by theologians: rationality, personhood, will and emotion, conscience, creativity, or the combination of them all. Whatever it is, animals do not share it.
2. Humankind was made with a living soul (Gen 2:7). Scripture describes how this differentiates man from animals (Ps 49:12-15, Eccl 3:19-21). Man clearly lives after the death of the body ( 2 Cor 5:8, Phil 1:23).
3. Humans are distinct in their ability to conduct abstract thought, to think logically, to use propositional language, to form non-instinctive social units, to obey moral laws. Only humans are moral creatures.
4. Animals then, cannot be accorded ‘rights’ that belong to moral creatures. Animals, however, can be wronged through cruelty or starvation. 
5. Humankind have a unique place in creation. We are said to be lower than angels, but higher than the other creatures (Ps 8:5, Mat 6:26). Man was given authority over the animals, to name them, tame them, and use them for food and clothing.
6. Animals can be lawfully tamed for a variety of uses, hunted and farmed (Lev 25:7, Jas 3:9). 
7. Cruelty to animals is considered wicked (Prov 12:10).
8. Humans are to take care of animals (Lev 25:7, Deut 25:4). Some animals are recognised as domestic (Gen 36:6) while others are recognised as noisome and destructive (Lev 26:6).
9. Meat is not unclean (Mk 7:19, 1 Tim 4:3-5). 
10. Animals can and must be used by humans. They are not to be misused or abused. However, our moral obligations are not to animals, but to God Himself.

What about hunting for sport?

Animals can be used for man’s good and enjoyment. Whether this be training them to do tricks, using them as security, or killing them for raw materials, this is part of dominion. One of these forms is fishing or hunting.

Having said that, there is a kind of hunting which kills wantonly and gratuitously. Scripture seems to frown upon any unnecessary killing (Deut 22:6-7, Ex 23:19).

What about animals in Heaven?

Scripture describes animals in the Millennial kingdom (Is 65;25). It does not describe animals in the new heavens and the new earth, though it does describe rivers, trees. If the Millennial kingdom is the pre-cursor to a re-formed Earth, it is possible that there will be some kind of animal life. What form they would take, their intelligence, or their connection to earthly animals or pets is pure speculation.

What about misanthropes?

Some people boast that they love their pets or some other animal more than humans. They protest loudly at the cruel treatment of animals, but are silent about abortion or the abuse of human beings.

This is a sign of inordinate affection – loving one thing too sweetly and not loving another enough.  Humans are loved by God more than animals; therefore to love animals more than humans is to love differently to God. Certainly, it is easier to love animals than human: they don’t answer back, criticise you, compete for what you value, or talk behind your back. But, to love our animals more than people around us is to actually shrivel in our affections. It is a form of affective laziness and selfishness. Loving people is harder, but it is because they are more complex, and closer in resemblance to God – both in imitation and deviation.

  – David De Bruyn, Professor of Church History, Shepherds’ Seminary Africa