Yes, the PetMate fountain is plugged in and runs on electric all the time.

I bought my first one last winter when CatLadytold us about hers, here on PT. BIG HIT here. So a few weeks back when Big Lots had them for $15, I bought a second one. I gave up using plain water bowls, no one used them except to drop food in and make a mess.

I had put off getting one as well, figuring as mentioned above, buy th eexpesive toy and they like the box best. Now I am so pleased with the fountain.