They can't be "good" or "bad". However, this does not mean that they will not be in heaven. It is true that this created world is passing away. But we have the sure hope of a new creation, a new heavens and a new earth. It will not neccesarily be much different from the old creation except that there will be no influences of sin.

Why were animals created in the first place? To be companions and helpers to humans. They were created by God as a gift to bring us happiness.

When the rest of life seems overclouded by the muck of a creation in travail, it can be a great comfort to be with loving cats. They are simple creatures who are fully content to be near their master.

We don't know what everything will be like in our future home. But we do know that God has prepared us a place in a new perfect creation. And when I see you there, it will be no surprise to see lots of wonderful kitties clamouring about you.
The purpose that Emily, Eliot, and Dylan were created was to make you happy.

Although true happiness is impossible on earth, in the new creation, God's purpose for animals will finally be realized, and it will be better than we can possibly imagine.

The above was cut and pasted from my son's reply. Hope he doesn't get mad at me!! It made me feel good because he comes from a very ultra conservative theologically correct seminary and so I respect what he says and I know he put careful thought into it - of course he is no authority, but it made me feel better. I think the first point about having no soul was meant to be in the sense of requiring *salvation*. Animals are not equal with humans, but they ARE living creatures who were specifically created by God apart from inanimate objects as in the passages Kim gave us from Genesis.