You can spend $25 on a thermostat that will fail in a year or two like those mentioned above (and when they fail they will fail wide open) or you can spend $115 and have a thermostat (with security features) that will last 10, 15 years or more.
I would go with Herpstat it's reliable, safe and you have the piece of mind, considering that your pet will leave 30+ years it is a very small investment.
Cheap thermostat are not worth it.