You can try calling your local humane officers - the local police dispatch
should have the number at which you can reach them. If these kittens (or
cats, for that matter) are ill and not receiving proper medical care, I
think that constitutes neglect and they -may- (note the emphasis, as I'm not
a humane officer or even a humane agent, nor do I study law of any sort) be
able to do anything from ordering the mall to see the kittens get proper vet
care within a few days' time to taking the kittens themselves and handing
them over to the local municipal shelter to getting a court order to prevent
that particular store from keeping cats or kittens ever again.

You may be able to simply speak to management and emphasize that as someone
who has had cats for years, you're familiar with basic health care, and that
doesn't seem to be met in their store (it's really appalling how many pet
store employees don't know the first thing about the live animals they're
supposed to be taking care of - our bunny expert has actually visited
several different area stores and harangued various managers into doing a
better job with their rabbits). A threat to call a humane officer may be
enough of a cracked whip to get them going.

Or you can always go into the store, pretend to peruse the "merchandise,"
and whenever someone comes by to look, point out (LOUDLY) how sick the
kittens look. "Oh, gosh, I bet that just would NEVER come out of my carpet!"
"Can you imagine having to clean that up six times a day? And steam cleaners
are such a hassle!" "Oh, that poor little thing... I'd have to take him
straight to the vet, he looks so sick, and it's so expensive!"

Contact the NH Dept of Agriculture at 603-271-3551.  They regulate pet
stores.  Ugh, I want to go to that store and buy the cats so they can get
some proper care, but I know that just perpetuates the problem. Mall pet
shops make me ill.

I assume you're talking about SeaWorld.  I asked them one time where they
get their kittens from, as they had some regular-looking kittens for sale, I
think it was $250 each (I guess inflation has really done a number on the
price kittens!).  They told me they usually come from people who have
accidental litters and drop them off, or from employees.  The woman tried to
justify the price saying they were checked out by a vet.  No vaccines, no
spay or neuter. For $85, you can adopt a vaccinated, spayed/neutered kitten
from the Salem Animal Rescue League, right down the street.  (Which is where
I volunteer) I try not to shop at SeaWorld, but they are the only place
nearby that carries Wellness food.

If you are looking for kittens, fill out an Adoption Application online at
www.sarl-nh.org

So, why on earth would someone pay $700 for some

most people when they want a kitten (or puppy), want a kitten NOW, and will
do what they feel they have to to get one.  Also a lot of people don't
realize what a horror pet store pets are, and how clean and well maintained
shelters and humane societies are.  Unfortunately they have  reverse images
in their minds. they think pet store pets are healthy and taken care of,
where shelter animals were abused and beaten and can't possibly make good
pets.  Its sad.

I also i've heard of more than a few people who look at pet store pets and
think they can't possibly be mill puppies because they look in such good
health

Call your local humane society and file a report.  Make sure they send
someone out to investigate.  I do it all the time with the local
crappy PetCo.

-L.