Do you know the number of animals that are in need of homes in England?
Neither do I.
But what I do know is the figure is well into the thousands.
Before you make the decision to get a pet, make sure you CAN care for it, and also take the time and expense to get it spayed/neutered, as precaution to prevent yet more animals coming into the world unwanted.
If you DO choose to get a pet, how about going to a rehoming center?
Below is a selection of animal rehoming and rescue centers, these animals are in desperate need of a home. Please just take the time to have a quick glance and see the sheer volume of them, I'm not saying you've got to pick a pet and take it home, but just take a look, and maybe think about taking home a new friend:
http://www.rainbowrehoming.com/
http://www.animalrescuers.co.uk/html/rabferr.html
http://www.themoggeryrehomingcentre.co.uk/ - they DO NOT have a destruction policy! (:
http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&q=rehoming+center&btnG=Search&meta=
Thank-you.