The first hour: what to do the moment you realize they're gone.

Stop moving. The first thing to do is nothing. Sit down on the doorstep. Listen. Half the time a cat is in a neighbor's garden and hasn't gone anywhere at all.

Then, in this order: check your immediate perimeter (garden, garage, the room they were last in), post the pet's name and photo in the neighborhood WhatsApp group, and call the two closest veterinary clinics.

If your pet is wearing a TagPet, you're already three steps ahead. Anyone who sees the tag can call you directly — you don't need to have a website up, or a poster made. That's the whole idea.

The next hour is for walking a two-block radius, slowly. Not calling out — most pets shy away from raised voices — but stopping, listening, and asking every person you pass. Show them the photo on your phone.