I do not mean to diminish the pain of the loss of an animal. Still, we have the duty to responsibly care for our animals. This requires that we regulate their heat sources. I recently was cleaning cages and the thermostat's sensor slipped off the flexiwatt heat tape. This photo shows the result. The temp climbed high enough to do this within 15 minutes. Fortunately, the animal that was in this cage was unharmed -- I was cleaning another cage on the same rack and smelled burning plastic. Who was responsible for this near fatal accident? I WAS. What about my other animals, not to mention the family that lives below me? Did I put them at risk? Yes, I did.

Was I being irresponsible at the time it happened? I certainly didn't think so, but I obviously was. We have to recognize that the user of the product is the one who ensures it works properly. No matter what claims a manufacturer may make, at the very least a thermometer is necessary to ensure the temperature stays within allowable limits.

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