The AKC is not concerned with conditions in puppy mills and actually works hard in opposition to any legislation that attempts to raise standards of care. As long as more puppies are born, which means more money in registration fees, they are happy. They don't want Pedigree encouraging people to adopt; that reduces demand for puppies from breeders/pet stores, which cuts into the AKC's bottom line.
If you follow the puppy mill issue you will find that any time a one of them is shut down and a large-scale rescue takes place, the mill has AKC certified dogs.
But re: your comment, it doesn't really matter to me whether breeders do it for money, y'know?
The Pedigree ads were the one redeeming feature to a show that otherwise mainly drives the pet trade. Too bad."
--Best Friends Animal Society blog [blogs.bestfriends.org]