The hunt intensified in Brussels Sunday as Belgium underwent the country’s highest level of terror alert. Authorities investigated an unspecified “serious and imminent threat” that many believe was in connection with ISIS and the alleged gunmen involved in the Paris attacks.

Steven Vandeput, Belgium’s minister of defense, and police in Brussels asked residents to refrain from posting any information on social media that would expose police whereabouts and activities during the raids for security purposes.

Police are asking the public not to report their movements on social media, please support & rt #BrusselsLockdown

— Steven Vandeput (@svandeput) November 22, 2015

However, in the midst of an intense lockdown, Belgians had the purr-fect response–cat photos.

Belgian police asks users to post cute cat pics with the hashtag #BrusselsLockdown to show terrorists some love. RT! pic.twitter.com/omisqm83m0 — jochem maes (@hetjoch) November 22, 2015

Instead of going completely silent, Belgians used humor to defuse the situation by flooding Twitter with a stream of hilarious cat photos using #Brusselslockdown. The tweets showcased memes and gifs portraying trapped Belgians, the police, and suspected terrorists all as cats, and we’ve gathered some of the best below.

so now we wait. #BrusselsLockdown pic.twitter.com/xUhmh1mlPm

— sjeel (@whatkindafukery) November 22, 2015

Stay inside they said. #BrusselsLockdown pic.twitter.com/hpAfV417Hf

— Julia Reda (@Senficon) November 22, 2015

BREAKING NEWS : Belgium Police using the new 200mph Hovercat during terrorist operations #BrusselsLockdown pic.twitter.com/MnIpiOZT3x — Jayce le Satirique (@jaycelight) November 22, 2015

You can’t keep hiding. #BrusselsLockdown pic.twitter.com/4ls1e9qB3s — Lore Vonck (@lorevonck) November 22, 2015

They got him #BrusselsLockdown pic.twitter.com/qrKBKRh0Tc — Geert Van Bondt (@Geertvanbondt) November 22, 2015

Meanwhile in Belgium … #BrusselsLockdown pic.twitter.com/9RIU4nD1WZ — Paul Taquet (@au_taquet) November 22, 2015

Picture of Belgium’s National Security Council when the door opens in the middle of the meeting #BrusselsLockdown pic.twitter.com/4oWuBRtipO — Florence (@flowindey) November 22, 2015

Don’t tell them I’m there!!! #BrusselsLockdown pic.twitter.com/SNfoXCISjl — Emmanuel Di Pretoro (@edipretoro) November 22, 2015

Residents told to stay away from windows. Not sure they got the message #BrusselsLockdown pic.twitter.com/kv3Mosk5mZ — Matteo Albania (@m_albania) November 22, 2015

BREAKING: Belgian police have released a photograph of the main supect #BrusselsLockdown pic.twitter.com/8FDAjZglZn — Jeroen Flamman (@jflamman) November 22, 2015

Suspicious backpack found in #Molenbeek #BrusselsLockdown pic.twitter.com/kbUvVYtsSg — Parliamonster (@Parliamonster) November 22, 2015

Belgian police snipers at the #GrandPlace #BrusselsLockdown pic.twitter.com/CYsY3kxTWi — Idafe Martín Pérez (@IdafeMartin) November 22, 2015

Major police operation underway in #BrusselsLockdown pic.twitter.com/DUZwfi0lOO — Harry Boone (@towersight) November 22, 2015

#BrusselsLockdown supporting Belgian Police. We’re stronger than we think! #Brave pic.twitter.com/x5Lq7pKKb1 — Wendy Carrara (@wcarrara) November 22, 2015

https://t.co/w5LF7a5qNa  when searching for the latest news on  #BrusselsLockdown! pic.twitter.com/vy9etNyHmk — Ruta Ly (@rutaly) November 22, 2015

May the force be with us. #BrusselsLockdownpic.twitter.com/m9OuEVhfXS — TineEeckhout (@TineEeckhout) November 22, 2015

On Monday, Belgium’s police tweeted out a big bowl of cat food “for the cats who helped us yesterday” to show their gratitude for the trending hashtag.

Voor de katten die ons gisteren geholpen hebben… Alsjeblieft! #BrusselsLockdown pic.twitter.com/QlwY9EtzEZ

— Federale Politie (@FedPol_pers) November 23, 2015

But the search is not over. Brussels’ schools, universities, and subway system remain closed Monday as authorities continue to search for individuals suspected of planning Paris-like attacks on the city.

Let’s hope the kitties scared all the bad guys away.

Alexis Evans

Alexis Evans is an Assistant Editor at Law Street and a Buckeye State native. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism and a minor in Business from Ohio University. Contact Alexis at aevans@LawStreetMedia.com.

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