Central Garden & Pet and Tony La Russa's Animal Rescue Foundation Form a Partnership to Find Good Homes for Cats and Dogs

Business Wire, Jan 4, 2005

WALNUT CREEK, Calif. -- Vince Gill and Amy Grant to Appear at "Stars to the Rescue" Fundraiser on January 8, 2005

Central Garden & Pet Company (Nasdaq:CENT), a leading innovator, marketer and producer of quality branded products for the pet and lawn and garden supplies markets, has joined forces with Tony La Russa's Animal Rescue Foundation (ARF) to ensure the humane treatment of companion animals and to bring people and animals together to enrich each other's lives.

Central is a sponsor of ARF's 14th annual celebrity fund raising gala "Stars to the Rescue." The charity event helps raise money for all of ARF's life-saving programs. Joining host Tony La Russa on this special evening will be Vince Gill, Amy Grant and other top celebrities and entertainers.

"We are very excited about the new relationship between Central and ARF," said Jim Heim, President of Central's Pet division. "We are committed to help ARF through a variety of initiatives including product donations and event sponsorship. We want to help make a difference, to save and better the lives of rescued animals and promote stronger relationships between companion animals and their guardians."

Central and ARF share common goals including providing animals stable and loving homes, creating educational programs that use innovative methods to introduce the higher ideals of compassion toward animals and people, and defining responsible pet guardianship.

"Central has a reputation for quality and innovation, and given their position as a major manufacturer and distributor, we're excited about having them as a partner and look forward to working with them," said Tony La Russa, founder of ARF.

About Tony La Russa's Animal Rescue Foundation

The catalyst for ARF came in May of 1990 during a baseball game between the Oakland Athletics and the New York Yankees when a stray cat wandered onto the playing field. Tony, then the Manager of the Oakland A's, coaxed the cat into the dugout, secured its safety for the remainder of the game, then took responsibility for the animal. His experience with this cat was the genesis for the founding of ARF, a no-kill organization with people rescuing animals and then animals rescuing people. ARF's Human Animal Bond programs allow people to experience the unconditional love and acceptance of dogs and cats while assisting those in disadvantaged circumstances. ARF's programs strengthen the human animal bond for the elderly, residents of assisted living centers, teens at juvenile hall, high school students, grade school students and young children through programs that are national models of excellence. For more information, please visit www.arf.net.

About Central Garden & Pet Company

Central Garden & Pet Company is a leading innovator, marketer and producer of quality branded products for the pet and lawn and garden supplies markets. Our pet products include pet bird and small animal food, aquarium products, flea, tick, mosquito and other pest control products, edible bones, cages, carriers, pet books, and other dog, cat, reptile and small animal products. These products are sold under a number of brand names, including Kaytee, All-Glass Aquarium, Oceanic, Kent Marine, Energy Savers Unlimited, Zodiac, Pre-Strike, Altosid, Nylabone, TFH, Four Paws and Interpet. Our lawn and garden products include grass seed, wild bird food, weed and insect control products, decorative outdoor patio products and ant control products. These products are sold under a number of brand names, including Pennington, Norcal Pottery, New England Pottery, GKI/Bethlehem Lighting, Lilly Miller, Matthews Four Seasons, AMDRO and Grant's. For additional information on Central Garden & Pet, including access to the Company's SEC filings, please visit the Company's website at www.centralgardenandpet.com.