It has been generally assumed that animals do not have specific souls which survive death as do individual human beings, but that after death the spiritual life force that activates animals returns to a ‘general pool’ at a higher level. However, there is evidence that more intelligent animals such as dogs, cats and horses, particularly those who have lived in close proximity to people as pets, may also survive death as individual entities. There are a few books which deal specifically with this subject, such as:

Barbanell, Sylvia (1940). What Happens when your Animal Dies. Spiritualist Press, London. (ISBN of later printing: 0-85437-014-5). Now out of print but can be ordered from Magis Books, 01509 210626.

This little book was first published in 1940 and has been reprinted frequently ever since. There is a huge volume of evidence for animal survival and the writer presents in clear, simple, common-sense language many and varied instances of the return and presence of "dead" animals. Over the years this book has been of great comfort to those who have lost animal friends.

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