We, the undersigned, call on Garden State Pet Center to end the sale of live and exotic animals and transition to a humane, cruelty-free business model.

Pet stores across the country are moving away from selling animals due to concerns about animal welfare, sourcing from unregulated breeders, improper care standards, high stress and mortality rates, and the risk of exotic species falling into inadequate or unsafe homes. These concerns are shared by veterinarians, wildlife experts, and animal-welfare organizations.

Our Concerns

Animal Sourcing: Many live and exotic animals sold in retail pet stores come from suppliers with limited oversight, where animals may be bred in overcrowded or unsanitary conditions.

In-Store Care: Even well-intentioned stores often cannot provide the species-specific environmental, behavioral, and medical needs required by exotic animals.

Impulse Purchases: Selling live animals increases the risk of buyers obtaining animals without understanding long-term care needs, which can lead to neglect, surrender, or premature death.

Public Health & Safety: Exotic animals can carry diseases or pose risks when housed improperly, creating avoidable hazards for customers and staff.

Community Values: Many community members prefer adopting rescue animals or supporting stores that focus on supplies, education, and ethical care rather than animal sales.

Our Request

We respectfully urge Garden State Pet Center to:

End the sale of all live and exotic animals, including reptiles, birds, small mammals, amphibians, and invertebrates.

Transition to an ethical, welfare-first business model focused on high-quality supplies, education, and partnerships with reputable local rescue groups.

Host adoption events instead of selling animals directly, helping animals in need while strengthening community trust and goodwill.

Why This Matters

By committing to a humane policy, Garden State Pet Center can:

• Demonstrate leadership in animal welfare
• Improve its reputation and customer trust
• Reduce liability and operational costs associated with live animal care
• Align with modern, compassionate consumer values

We believe Garden State Pet Center has the opportunity to become a model for responsible pet retailing in our community. We ask that you listen to the concerns of your customers and neighbors and make the compassionate choice to end the sale of live and exotic animals.