Atheists "to save pets after world ends"

During Rapture an Episcopalian priest, Fran, Roger the Alien, Stan the CIA Agent, and the slow janitor look on as naked people are lifted up ("Rapture's Delight," American Dad).

(Web.orange.co.uk) Enterprising atheist animal lovers are cashing in on religious pet owners who believe the world is about to end [on Saturday, May, 21, 2011].

Some US Christian fundamentalists [familyradio.com] believe Judgment Day will begin with a massive earthquake on Saturday.

They say believers will immediately go to heaven while the rest of us have another five months to suffer until the world ends in October.

The problem is that many fundamentalists are reportedly worried about what happens to their pets when they go to heaven.

Whereas in Buddhism animals are living beings subject to rebirth the same as humans, gods, hellions, and other entities, pets are not allowed in Christian heaven. Atheists will care for them on Earth.

A new company -- Eternal Earth-Bound Pets -- is offering to step up to "take that burden off your mind."

"You've committed your life to Jesus. You know you're saved," the company says on its website.

"But when the Rapture comes, what's to become of your loving pets who are left behind?"

The post-Doomsday pet rescue service says it already already has 259 clients, who have paid $135 for the first pet and $20 for each additional pet.

All the rescuers are sworn atheists, which means they will be left behind on Earth, ready to rescue pets after their Christian owners have gone to the other side.

Eternal Earth-Bound Pets co-founder Bart Centre said: "This will happen only if and when the Rapture happens. So we do not expect to have to do anything on Saturday."