It is easy to see VictorSantucci, a passionate animal enthusiast, as a modern-day Dr. Doolittle.
He seeks to understand everything he can about the pets that come into the center.
Santucci’s hands-on approach and extensive knowledge make his Garden State Pet Center – www.garedenstatepetcenter.com – a trusted destination for all things related to pet wellness and companionship. ️He’s also a Certified Clinical Pet Nutritionist, who graduated from an 18-month program at the Animal Science Institute in New Jersey in 2022.
The business has received recent awards from two top sources — Excellence in Holistic Pet Nutrition in March 2025 by Stellar Business, and Top Holistic Pet Store 2025 by Insider Weekly.
“I was beyond thrilled because we make it a mission to educate our pet parents every single day,” Santucci explains. “We stay on top of trends and scientific studies, so this means the world to me.”
With a deep love for pets and a commitment to providing exceptional care, Santucci has created a haven for pet lovers in the heart of the South Jersey community, which is something that local pet parents are extremely grateful for.
At the Garden State Pet Center, the focus is on ethical sourcing of food, high-quality holistic pet nutrition, along with a dog bakery, small animal boarding, animal grooming, and more.
Santucci’s journey in the pet industry reflects a dedication to fostering healthy and happy relationships between pets and their owners. The animals include birds, cats, dogs, fish, reptiles, and more.
All of this makes perfect sense since he is a devoted “pet dad” to two macaws, two Savannah cats, three Munchkin cats, French Bulldogs, a Boxer, a Basset Hound, an American XL Bully, and a Pomski (a hybrid Pomeranian and Husky mix.)
Garden State Pet Center began with a simple, but powerful, idea: to create a place where pet lovers could come together to find not just pets, but new family members.
“Our journey started with a deep love for animals and a commitment to providing the best care possible for every pet that comes through our doors,” he said.
From the very beginning, the mission has been clear: “to offer a welcoming environment where pets are loved and well-cared for, and where pet parents feel supported with the resources and guidance they need.”
Over the years, the business has grown into a trusted community hub for pet enthusiasts, thanks to our diverse selection of animals and a passionate team dedicated to helping each customer find the perfect companion.
The focus of his Garden State Pet Center in Audubon is high-quality, holistic pet nutrition. Looking at labels from traditional pet food, Santucci says there are several problems, including high amounts of animal by-products and how the food is sourced.
“Animal byproducts, corn, soy, and wheat — which many animals are sensitive or allergic to — create major problems,” Santucci said. “Every brand of pet food I sell has no animal byproducts, corn, wheat, or soy. My customers see the difference and are thrilled.”
Within the past two months, the pet center has seen many pet parents whose animals have recently been diagnosed with kidney disease.
“We have helped those pets by changing their diet, nutrition, and supplements,” he said.
“I get subsequent phone calls that they took their pet back to the veterinarian and their blood levels are down and everyone is happy.
“We spend time with the customers and their pets to understand their ‘real needs.’”
Santucci had a pet parent with a French Bulldog with severe skin and ear ailments that a local veterinarian believed was out of options. He did a UCARI pet sensitivity test of environmental, food, and vitamin imbalances to get to the root of the problem.
“We got the results, changed the pet’s diet, and within a month the dog was completely cleared and thriving,” he shared.
The USDA (U.S. Department of Agriculture)-licensed store means they are allowed to sell a wide variety of animals from the common hamster to South American raccoons.
“We are permitted to carry more exotic animals at this location; those you couldn’t find elsewhere; you will find here,” Santucci said.
While they don’t sell dogs or cats, they do sell reptiles, rabbits, hamsters, chinchillas, hedgehogs, and a wide variety of birds, including finches, macaws, and toucans. In 2018, he previously opened Feather Fabulous Birds, an exotic bird shop in Matawan (Monmouth County).
“I am concerned that pets’ lives are being shortened over time, and the life expectancy of many breeds is going lower and lower,” Santucci said. “I believe that food is going to be the most important aspect to a pet’s longevity.”
Santucci said a lot of animals eat a chicken-based diet, and their bodies become sensitive to it, which is a main food allergy in pets. He said pet owners have been given outdated information that they should keep feeding the same thing to their pets. He believes that starting when they are young, pet parents should rotate proteins with different sets of amino acids, which decreases the chance of food sensitivities that lead to immune system issues and gut damage.
As a result of this concern, Garden State Pet Centersells a ton of raw food and gently cooked food. These are recommended because the animals can break down the nutrients, and they have high digestibility rates, much higher than poor quality kibble. The idea is to make sure what is given to pets is bio-available.
Santucci often hears from customers that their dog, for example, has been on all kinds of medications and prescription diets, and nothing has worked. This happens with pets who overcome urinary issues for cats, digestive issues, cancer, and more.
What does “happy customers with happy pets” mean to Santucci?
“It’s an amazing feeling knowing the pet is thriving,” he said. “We look at the pet in a holistic approach. What is their diet, supplements routine? We make a difference in not only the pet’s life, but also the customer’s life, because the animal doesn’t have to go to the vet as much.
“The customer is thrilled they are no longer having those issues, and the pet is more comfortable and thriving.”
