Garden State Pet Center Earns 2026 Top-Rated Pet Store Recognition as Independent Retailer Builds on Education-First Approach

Audubon pet store recognized following hundreds of customer reviews praising knowledgeable service, premium pet nutrition and personalized care

AUDUBON, N.J. — September 28, 2026 — Garden State Pet Center, an independently owned pet store serving Audubon and the surrounding South Jersey community, has been recognized by Meritly as a Top-Rated Pet Store — Audubon, NJ — 2026, adding another distinction for a local business built around personalized service, pet nutrition education and community involvement.

The recognition was based on Garden State Pet Center’s public customer feedback, including a 4.5-star rating across 414 reviews at the time of the award. Reviews consistently highlight the store’s knowledgeable team, extensive selection and willingness to spend time helping customers find appropriate options for their individual pets.

For owner Victor Santucci Jr., a Certified Clinical Pet Nutritionist, the recognition reinforces the philosophy behind Garden State Pet Center: independent pet stores can offer something increasingly difficult to replicate through large retailers and online marketplaces — relationships, education and individualized attention.

“Every pet that walks through our doors is different,” Santucci said. “Our job isn’t simply to sell someone a bag of food or a product. We want to understand the pet, listen to the owner and help them make an educated decision. We have always believed that when you put pets before profits and genuinely take care of people, everything else follows.”

A Different Approach to Pet Nutrition

Garden State Pet Center specializes in premium and holistic nutrition for dogs and cats, including raw, freeze-dried, gently cooked and specialty food options. The store also serves owners of birds, reptiles, small mammals and exotic pets.

Rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach, the Garden State Pet Center team works directly with customers to discuss factors such as age, lifestyle, preferences and individual nutritional needs.

Education has become a central part of the store’s identity.

Customers regularly visit with questions about transitioning foods, adding moisture or fresh foods to a diet, rotational feeding, supplements and finding alternatives when their current feeding program is not meeting their expectations.

That individualized service has been repeatedly mentioned in customer feedback.

One customer, Samantha, described Garden State Pet Center as the only place she shops for her dog, praising the staff for remembering what she purchases and recommending the store to other pet owners.

Another customer, Anthony, highlighted the team’s professionalism, kindness and knowledge while noting the store’s selection for dogs, cats, birds and reptiles.

Regular customer Irene described the staff as knowledgeable, patient and willing to help customers find what they need even when an item is not immediately available.

For Santucci, comments like those carry particular significance because they reflect what the business is trying to accomplish every day.

“The greatest recognition we can receive is when someone trusts us with the care and nutrition of an animal they love,” Santucci said. “Awards are exciting, but knowing that customers feel listened to, educated and cared for is what means the most to our entire team.”

Independent Pet Retail With a Community Focus

Garden State Pet Center’s mission extends beyond the products on its shelves.

The business has supported animal rescues, community organizations and local police K9 programs while advocating for locally owned businesses and independent pet retail.

That community involvement reflects Santucci’s belief that a neighborhood pet store should be more than a place to make a purchase.

“We want Garden State Pet Center to be a resource for the community,” Santucci said. “Whether someone is trying to improve their dog’s diet, has questions about their new bird, needs help finding something for a reptile or simply wants a place where people know them and their pets, that’s what an independent pet store should provide.”

The 2026 Meritly recognition comes as Garden State Pet Center continues to grow its presence in South Jersey while maintaining the personalized approach that has defined the business.

For customers, that means access to carefully selected products and a team focused on education rather than simply completing a transaction.

For Garden State Pet Center, it represents a larger commitment to demonstrating what locally owned, independent pet retail can offer.

“Small businesses have the opportunity to know their customers in a way that’s very personal,” Santucci said. “We know their pets. We know their stories. We celebrate their new animals with them, help them through challenges and sometimes know exactly what they’re coming in for before they even ask. That’s the relationship we want to protect as we continue to grow.”

About Garden State Pet Center

Garden State Pet Center is an independently owned pet store located in Audubon, New Jersey, serving pet owners throughout South Jersey and the greater Philadelphia region. Owned by Certified Clinical Pet Nutritionist Victor Santucci Jr., the store specializes in premium and holistic pet nutrition and carefully selected products for dogs, cats, birds, reptiles, small mammals and exotic pets.

Garden State Pet Center emphasizes personalized service, pet nutrition education, thoughtfully curated products and community involvement while supporting the principle of putting pets before profits.

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Media Contact

Company: Garden State Pet Center
Contact Person: Victor Santucci Jr.
Email: Send email
Website: gardenstatepetcenter.com
Phone: (856) 617-6871