That little puppy in the window may be adorable, but deciding on him as your companion may not be the best decision. Many people are unaware of this, but the majority of puppies in pet shops have just arrived from dog mills, better known as puppy farms.
      
Puppy farms are exactly what they sound like: Breeding homes for puppies. And while there is nothing wrong with licensed, clean breeding, puppy farms are usually farms overrun with dogs, filth and disease. The breeders have no concern over the puppies' health. They breed them for the sole reason to sell them.
       
Because of this, the puppies are usually crowded into tiny crates or pens until they are bought by pet stores, which can take months. Being in such close contact and dirty environments, the puppies frequently catch and spread conditions such as fleas and worms. Also, due to the fact that their parents are not properly taken care of, the puppies often inherit congenital health problems. Some puppies do not even make it to the pet shop window.
     
Many "breeders" attempt, often successfully, to disguise these facts. They often show false health and vaccination records. Also, despite the breeder's claims that their puppies are purebred, they often turn out to have a rather mottled bloodline.
    
So how do you prevent acquiring a sick puppy? There are some critical actions to be taken the moment you reach the breeder's home. First, scrutinize the house itself. Is it dirty and overrun with puppies? Are there multiple breeds available? These are important red flags.
    
Remember to request a visit with the mother of the puppy, to assess her health. If the breeder refuses or is reluctant to let you see the mother, this is a negative sign, signifying that the mother is most likely unhealthy. Steer clear of this!
     
Last but not least, evaluate the actual breeder with great scrutiny. Does he or she seem clean-cut and seems to care for their animals? Are they interested in the kind of home the puppy is going to, or are they keen to sell it?
    
Never adopt a puppy from places such as a bird fair, flea market, or a carnival. Also, avoid buying from a pet shop altogether. Puppies sold from these places usually come straight from a farm. And while there are many clean puppy breeders, there's no real way to be sure where Fido came from.
    
And remember, a common impulse is to buy a "pity puppy." Don't ever allow sympathy for an animal to push you into bringing it home. Although it is a distressing situation if a puppy is in an uncaring home, the dog could have diseases or other problems.
    
If you truly believe that the puppies are being abused or neglected, report it to the police or RSPCA and leave it in their hands.
    
So where can you buy a good, healthy puppy? Going to a breeder is not completely ruled out. Simply follow the steps above to be sure that the breeder is honest and safe. Also, don't forget that there are hundreds of dogs at the Humane Society and the pound that are aching for a loving home! Giving sanctuary to an animal in need is the most caring thing you could do!

Sources:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/insideout/extra/series-1/puppy_farms.shtml
http://www.bbc.co.uk/insideout/east/series6/pup_advice.shtml