Alarm system with 2 cats - Technical upgrade experiences?

Yes, and for simulating presence it helps if the lights turn on, the TV is running, etc.

Honestly, I am glad that I live in a region where there are very few break-ins.

In some neighborhoods, I also wonder if the owners are sending invitations to the burglars.
You can tell the employer and salary class from the car in front of the house.
Garage, house, privacy screen result in complete invisibility.

An acquaintance from the neighboring village reported that he recently observed a van near his place. Suddenly, 3-4 men jumped out, ran around a house that had no fence, then all got back in and drove off slowly. Another person had seen a similar group stop in front of his house. Two foreigners got out and wanted to snoop around. He came out (he has 2 big dogs like almost everyone here) and immediately shouted over that they should get lost, or he would let the dogs out. Then they were gone again. It's really sick what goes on here.

One has to switch from cat to dog after all. Although there are cats that react very aggressively to strangers and attack. I even had to put up a warning sign for a few years.

Break-ins are awful. Strangers break in, rummage through your private things that not even friends know about, leaving behind major property damage over sometimes trivial matters. A friend got hit; the damaged photo albums bothered her more than the broken window or the missing valuables.

Dogs are simply good for nothing. Every burglar has a pocket full of treats or fresh hunting sausage. Even if dog owners don't like to admit or acknowledge it at all: every dog is so bribable. In the end, it stands next to the burglar wagging its tail and begging for another piece of hunting sausage, while the burglar calmly searches the typical cash hiding spots (in the dresser among the socks...).

Dogs simply don't bring anything at all.

I wouldn't say that. That most of them are bribable, no question. But until then, they make a racket first. :)

Owner not at home: who cares about a barking dog in the neighborhood?

Owner at home: Barking is met from afar with "but quiet now, stop, come here now."