This is my third unit - I too let one run dry and the pump fried (shame on me too), however it was about five years old and until the pump died, worked like a trouper. I have two units in my house, one at either end of the house. My cat drinks from the top of the water run and my dog slurps from the bowl (dog backwash has got to be worse than cat backwash!). Yes, I do dig out dog and cat hair from the intake/lever area about once a week, but that's a small task compared to washing and filling a couple of water bowls each day or worse yet, forgetting to fill a bowl or finding one completely empty and wondering "how long have they gone without water"? The pumps make enough "noise" when the water levels get too low, thus it's nearly impossible to allow a pump to burn out (nearly, not completely!). There is no "slimy" feeling to the bowl like there is in a standard water bowl (you know that "film" one often feels when cleaning a regular water bowl, despite the fact it looks clean?) and the large reservoir ensures plenty of water all the time (although I do keep a 1/2 gallon container nearby each one so I can just fill and dump directly into the basin instead of pulling out the reservoir to refill - I do the latter frequently, but at times I'm in a rush and a quick refill via the extra container does the trick for me. Lastly, my veterinarian noted my cat of 7.5lb cat of 18.5 years lived as long as she did, despite being a tiny runt who had been severely malnourished and abandoned when I found her up for adoption at about 1 year of age, because he found cats drink far more frequently with these units which, in turn, keeps their kidneys filtering properly and, in turn, keeps the kidneys working well overall - kidney woes often being the fatal ailment of cats. The dog? Well, for whatever reason, she simply will not drink out of puddles or the odd bucket or container - could be a lucky coincidence, but I can't help but suspect she's only known "fresh water" from the likes of this system and that's her preference - no icky puddle water ingested means less of a chance of parasites or similar. UPDATE 5/29/10 - I had read others complaining the units leak (other sites mostly) and alas, I am now among the growing cluster o' complainers. Late the other night I heard popping sounds and much to my dismay (and total disgust) I found the unit had been leaking (probably about 3 days or so) profusely the entire contents (probably two full systems' worth) had soaked through the carpet and had severely buckled the original hardwood flooring to such an extent two planks are nearly buckled onto their sides (hence the popping sounds I believe). I had "assumed" the dog and cat were simply drinking more because the weather was changing and didn't realize there was substantial leak (never saw it, never felt it, but then I usually have shoes on) - looking back, I had noticed a very loud "water fall" sound had started with the unit (which some may like, but I found it annoying) and I discovered the section that fits atop the pump had a small split in it. I didn't worry about it as it just meant that only 1/2 of the water was making its way up to the "ramp", but I should have inspected the unit more carefully as I would have likely noticed signs of the major external leak that was probably developing (although to look at the unit, empty as it is now, it's not like there's some gaping hole or visible crack in the base). Equally frustrating is the company's customer service option - no email, no contact via a Web site, only snail mail and a M-F phone bank that's routinely busy. I've been a big fan of these units for many years, but given I'm not the first person to whine about major leaking problems, I fear the company is either cutting corners or is using defective/inferior parts. The damage to the carpet is substantial - I had no idea mold would/could grow under a carpet in just a few days - but then I don't have experience with leaving a few gallons of water on it - the carpet can be replaced, not that I really have a choice now - but the hardwood is another story, as fate would have it, I found, "they no longer make the plank sizes", it's custom hardwood time - oh brother. Until the company steps up and addresses the increasing leaking complaints, I hate to have to say it, but stay away from buying this model (or if you have a unit now, place it on a plastic tray or similar). Formerly 5 stars.
