Where do pet store puppies come from?

I recently became interested in something that I wasn't looking for. I was introduced to this by looking on "Pet Finder". This is a website that people who are interested in adopting a pet browse. I found a posting that I could not seem to move away from. So I made my first phone call and now share my apartment with a mini poodle. His story then fueled a part of me that I didn't know existed. He is a 5-7 yr old "puppy mill" stud dog. He lived in a wire cage with 2-3 females with his primary purpose to produce puppies to be sold at pet stores. He never experienced anything but wire under his feet and had no positive interactions with humans. He then was taken from the mill to an auction in Ohio (probally because he didn't produce puppies anymore) and was purchased by a rescue which then in turn he and I were introduced. I couldn't say no...I was looking at an empty shell of a dog. He looked like a dog but when you looked into his eyes there was nothing there. All he knew was to run in small circles because that was his only "entertainment" for at least 5 yrs. I have been working with him everyday to show him the way...that there is something good out here and he could have it and he was safe. I could go on about him but for now I want to ask you...When you go to the pet store and look at the puppies that are for sale from 700.00 to 3,000.00 dollars ask the employee where did that puppy come from. You will be told a reputable breeder which is really a puppy factory. They are all over the United States and even in other countries. The people who have these puppy mills could have 500 dogs in a barn or your next door neighbor could have 10. These people sell their pups to the pet store who inflates their price on the puppies waiting for people to come and buy. Would you purchase a car, a house without doing research first? If you want to know more about this subject just go where I did. I googled "puppy mills" and then well that is how I ended up here. I have a mission to stop this but I will need someone who will become informed and help me on my fight. There will be a statewide peaceful protest in October and I am hoping to see many people from the Danbury Area there! Thanks for reading and if you are interested in more information please feel free to contact me here.