Tubby & Peanut have a similar water fountain. They keep the water fresher by circulating it, and it also has a filter for all those little kibbles that somehow end up in the water. I've also heard that it encourages cats to drink because they like the sound of running water - which I can attest to. If Tubby is in the bathroom with me, as soon as I flush the toilet he has to put his front feet up to see what's going on in there. The electrical cord with the water is no problem. The manufacturers know there is water involved and take the necessary safety precautions to make sure the electricity doesn't come in contact with the water. You should, however, plug it into a GGCI (ground fault circuit interrupter) outlet if at all possible (like the ones in bathrooms these days with the "reset" button). That way if something did happen the circuit would be interrupted before it could do major harm (similar to if you drop your hair dryer in water, it will immediately trip the circuit so the power is cut off).

When I first bought mine I could never tell if my two were actually using it or if the water was just evaporating. Every two or three days I had to add a little water, but not much. Then one day, about 3 years after I got it, I finally saw Tubby drink out of it. I was surprised - and thrilled that they were actually using it. Since then I've seen Peanut do her paw dipping trick in it too, so I know she's using it too. Now Tubby drinks more because of his kidneys and Peanut drinks more because of her allergy medication, so I have to add water everyday. Been thinking about getting the one that has the addtional water storage container so I don't have to haul water every day.

Lynne, there are many, many Petsmarts and Petcos in the Chicago area - mostly in the suburbs though. The city of Chicago is slow to get the big warehouse style chain stores. But I'm sure the city has many, many individually owned pet shops that would be able to help. We're in the Southwest suburbs, where is your daughter?