Bark at the Park Presented by AvoDerm Natural® Pet Foods and Nylabone® Encourages Baseball Fans and Their Pets to Get in the Game

WALNUT CREEK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Central Garden & Pet brands, AvoDerm Natural pet foods and Nylabone, are once again partnering with several Major League Baseball® teams this season on a campaign to promote pet adoption and raise awareness about the powerful bonds between people and their pets. The centerpiece of the program is a series of Bark at the Park days Presented by AvoDerm Natural Pet Foods and Nylabone 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 parade around the field and enjoy pet friendly activities and free product samples. Central has struck deals with eight teams including the New York Mets, Los Angeles Dodgers, Texas Rangers, Seattle Mariners, Chicago White Sox, Oakland Athletics, Colorado Rockies and Arizona Diamondbacks. 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 PetSmart™ and local independent retailers, public service announcements, national PR and media, charitable fundraising and direct engagement with fans at ballparks across the country.

“Since 2005, when we did our first partnership with the Oakland A’s, we have watched the magic that happens when man’s best friend and America’s pastime come together,” said Jim Heim, President of Business Development for Central Garden & Pet. Last year more than 4,000 dogs and their families enjoyed a day or evening at the ballpark in what has become one of the most popular promotions in all of sports. “In 2015, we are adding another team and additional partners to help spread the word about the importance of pets in our lives,” said Heim. “By partnering with baseball and our amazing retail and animal welfare partners, 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. It’s the perfect win-win situation for all involved.”

Hall of Fame manager and Chief Baseball Officer of the Arizona Diamondbacks, Tony La Russa, returns as the program’s official ambassador and will help promote the program through a public service campaign at participating ballparks encouraging people to adopt a new pet or a pal for their current pet. La Russa is the Co-founder and Chairman of the Animal Rescue Foundation (ARF,) that will again receive donations from Central Garden & Pet and the teams to support ARF’s many initiatives as part of the program.

“ARF is excited to partner with AvoDerm, Nylabone, PetSmart, Code 3 Associates and the American Pet Products Association (APPA) to help bring Bark at the Park events to thousands of families,” 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. Our ties to baseball obviously run deep and this partnership showcases my favorite passions… baseball, family, and pets.”

In addition to the partnership with ARF, AvoDerm Natural pet foods and Nylabone will promote responsible pet ownership, pet welfare, pet health and nutrition and pet adoption through strategic alliances with Code 3 Associates and the American Pet Products Association’s Pets Add Life (PAL) campaign. Bob Vetere, APPA President and CEO added, “Pets Add Life is very proud to yet again 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.”

“Code 3 Associates is thrilled to join Central Garden & Pet and its partner brands in presenting Bark at the Park,” said Nan Stuart, founder of Code 3. “We hope families will have a chance to enjoy a day outside at the ball park and cheer on their favorite baseball team, while spending quality time with their pets. Bark at the Park provides Code 3 a perfect forum to help educate pet owners about disaster preparedness and what they can do to best care for their pets before, during, and after times of crisis.”

The first Bark at the Park Presented by AvoDerm Natural Pet Foods and Nylabone will take place at Globe Life Stadium in Arlington, Texas on Saturday May 2^nd when the Texas Rangers host the Oakland A’s and an estimated 600-700 dogs and their families. Tickets, which are expected to sell out quickly, for the first event and all the Bark at the Park games can be purchased through the teams’ official web sites.

About Central Garden & Pet

Central Garden & Pet Company (NASDAQ: CENT) (NASDAQ: 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. For more information, visit www.avodermnatural.com.

About ARF

ARF’s core 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, seniors, veterans, and people in disadvantaged circumstances. Through ARF, people experience the unconditional love and acceptance of dogs and cats to fulfill a mission of “People Rescuing Animals... Animals Rescuing People…”® Visit www.arflife.org for more information.

About Pets Add Life

Pets Add Life (PAL) is a national campaign established by the American Pet Products Association (APPA) to promote the joys and benefits pets of all types bring to our lives. PAL encourages responsible pet ownership and adoption, and ultimately works to spread the message of the joys associated with adding a pet to your life! Visit www.petsaddlife.org or facebook.com/petsaddlife for more information.

About Code 3 Associates

Code 3 Associates, Inc., a 501(c)3 non-profit, is dedicated to providing professional animal disaster response and resources to communities, as well as providing professional training to individuals and agencies involved in animal related law enforcement and emergency response. Code 3’s mission is accomplished through hands-on animal rescue and care operations during disaster events in the United States and Canada, and through certified animal welfare training seminars, which include animal cruelty investigation training for officers. Visit www.code3associates.org for more information.

Central Garden & Pet Company
Mark Newberg
847-330-5367 Office
847-722-6754 Mobile
mnewberg@central.com

Source: Central Garden & Pet Company

Released March 4, 2015