Pet Brands Team Up to Bring Bark at the Park Presented by AvoDerm Natural Pet Foods and Nylabone to Baseball Fans and Their Dogs This Season

Central Garden & Pet brands, AvoDerm Natural Pet Foods and Nylabone, are teaming up with Major League Baseball teams starting this Spring on a campaign to promote the powerful bonds between people and their pets. The centerpiece of the program is a series of Bark at the Park Presented by AvoDerm and Nylabone events at major league stadiums where dogs can join their families in the fun and excitement of a baseball game. Fans will be able to purchase tickets for themselves and their dogs, join in a pre-game pup rally and even march around the field in a pre-game parade. On average, about 500-600 dogs and their families at each game will participate in these extremely popular events. The season-long program will include in-store messaging at Petco and local independent retailers, public service announcements, national PR and media, charitable fundraising and direct engagement with fans at ballparks across the country.

"We have a long history of working with Major League Baseball in helping bring these pet-friendly events to a number of big league teams," said Jim Heim, President of Business Development for Central Garden & Pet. "In 2014 we are looking to expand our presence and create a winning combination for our brands and business partners by sponsoring these unique and wonderful events with teams like the New York Mets, Los Angeles Dodgers, Texas Rangers, Seattle Mariners, Chicago White Sox, Oakland A's and Colorado Rockies. Baseball is still America's pastime and the most family-friendly professional sport. By partnering with these teams, we are able to sample products, build brand awareness and promote adoption, responsible pet ownership and animal health and welfare to pet-loving families who also love baseball."

Newly-elected Hall of Fame manager, Tony La Russa, who is also the co-founder and Chairman of Tony La Russa's Animal Rescue Foundation (ARF,) is the program's official ambassador and will help promote the program through a public service campaign encouraging people to adopt a new pet or a pal for their existing pet.

"We at ARF are very excited to partner with AvoDerm, Nylabone, Petco and the American Pet Products Association (APPA) this season to bring Bark at the Park events to thousands of families and our message to millions of Americans," said La Russa. "Central Garden & Pet is a long-time supporter of ARF's mission to save dogs and cats who have run out of time at public shelters and bring people and animals together to enrich each other's lives. Our ties to baseball obviously run deep and this partnership combines two of my favorite passions... baseball and pets."

In addition to the partnership with ARF, AvoDerm Natural Pet Foods and Nylabone will promote responsible pet ownership, pet health and nutrition and pet adoption through strategic alliances with Petco and the American Pet Products Association's Pets Add Life (PAL) campaign. Bob Vetere, President of the APPA, added, "Pets Add Life is very proud to be a part of this fun and unique campaign that celebrates the joys of pet ownership. This alliance will help further our message, encouraging responsible pet ownership and inspiring people to get a pal for their pet."

The first Bark at the Park Presented by AvoDerm and Nylabone event will take place at Citi Field in New York on Mother's Day, May 11th when the Mets take on the Philadelphia Phillies. Tickets for all the Bark at the Park events are expected to sell out quickly.

About Central Garden & Pet

Central Garden & Pet Company (CENT) (CENTA) is a leading innovator, marketer and producer of quality branded products for the lawn and garden and pet supplies markets. Committed to new product innovation, our products are sold to specialty independent and mass retailers. Participating categories in Lawn & Garden include: Grass seed and the brands PENNINGTON, SMART SEED and THE REBELS; wild bird feed and the brand PENNINGTON; weed and insect control and the brands AMDRO, SEVIN, IRONITE and OVER-N-OUT; and decorative outdoor patio products and the brands NORCAL POTTERY, NEW ENGLAND POTTERY and MATTHEWS FOUR SEASONS. We also provide a host of other regional and application-specific garden brands and supplies. Participating categories in Pet include: Animal health and the brands ADAMS and ZODIAC; aquatics and reptile and the brands OCEANIC SYSTEMS, AQUEON and ZILLA; bird & small animal and the brands KAYTEE, SUPER PET and CRITTER TRAIL; dog & cat and the brands TFH, NYLABONE, FOUR PAWS, PINNACLE and AVODERM; and equine and the brands FARNAM, BRONCO and SUPER MASK. We also provide a host of other application-specific pet brands and supplies. Central Garden & Pet Company is based in Walnut Creek, California, and has approximately 3,300 employees, primarily in North America. For additional information on Central Garden & Pet Company, including access to the Company's SEC filings, please visit the Company's website at www.central.com.

About Nylabone Products

Nylabone Products is a respected producer of premium pet products, and the leader in safe, healthy chewing for over 50 years. Nylabone is a division of T.F.H. Publications, Inc., the world's most distinguished publisher of high-quality care and training books for pets, and a founding member of the American Pet Products Manufacturing Association (APPMA). Nylabone is recognized for its excellence, quality, innovation and leadership in today's pet industry. Its patented and patent-pending products are frequently industry award-winners. T.F.H./Nylabone is a subsidiary of Central Garden & Pet Company. For more information, visit www.nylabone.com.

About AvoDerm Natural Pet Food

Good health shows and it starts with the optimum nutrition of AvoDerm Natural dog and cat food recipes. Made with premium quality proteins and omega rich avocados, AvoDerm uses no fillers or animal by product meals and is manufactured in our own facility in Irwindale, California. Natural avocados are a rich source of the vitamins, fatty acids, and antioxidants that pets need for balanced nutrition, along with a healthy skin and coat. What our recipes do on the inside, shows on the outside.

About Tony La Russa's Animal Rescue Foundation

At the core of ARF's mission is the rescue of dogs and cats who have run out of time at public shelters, giving them a chance at life until a new home can be found. ARF couples this mission with innovative programs strengthening the human-animal bond for children, the elderly, and people in disadvantaged circumstances. ARF allows people to experience the unconditional love and acceptance of dogs and cats to fulfill our mission of "People Rescuing Animals... Animals Rescuing People..." Visit www.arf.net for more information.

About Pets Add Life

Pets Add Life (PAL) is a non-profit grassroots campaign established by the American Pet Products Association, designed to promote the joys and benefits pets of all types bring to our lives. With multiple pet ownership at an all-time high (44% of pet owning households in the U.S. own more than one pet), PAL encourages responsible, multiple pet ownership and adoption, and ultimately works to spread the message of the benefits associated with adding a pet to your life! Visit www.petsaddlife.org for more information.