Some of the pet stores in our area only have adoptions. Sometimes they are kept at the pet store (all from shelters), or they have shelter/foster people bring some in on weekends.

Although I do have to wonder about some of the shelter/foster people sometimes. There have been a few times (fortunately not very many) that they have brought in sick animals or animals in very very poor condition. I've asked about them and one foster momma was saying how she was keeping 3 cats in her bathroom because she ran out of room in the rest of the house, and all the animals she took in were special needs. Another brought in several cats which all looked horrible with mangled matted fur, snotty noses, and third eyelids showing. Neither person had any vaccination/vet papers with them, however insisted the animals were all current on their 'shots' but couldn't tell me by name which 'shots'.

I don't know that in either case bringing the animals to a stressful environment (with dogs barking, lots of strangers and travel) was the best thing for the cats in their conditions. I applaud the efforts of people trying to rescue/foster animals, however it sort of makes you wonder if some of them aren't animal hoarders.

As for mutts (aka designer breeds) we had a client come in a couple years ago proud to show off her new 'pedigree' puppy which came with 'papers and everything'. Like many clients she gave us the whole folder that she recieved upon purchase (all we need is the vaccination records). While we looked through the ton of papers trying to find info for vaccinations we found her 'papers' which were nothing more than a bill of sale/contract. She'd paid $400 at a pet store (50 miles away from her home) for her 'pedigreed' with 'papers' terrier MIX!

Honestly in situations like that (which happen far too often) if people were more informed about what a pedigree actually is they'd be less likely to be buying these mixes from pet stores, thus at least, reducing the demand from puppy mills.