WALNUT CREEK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 21, 2006--Central Garden & Pet Company (NASDAQ:CENT) today announced that two of its industry-leading subsidiaries -- T.F.H. Publications, Inc., and Kaytee -- have entered into strategic product partnership agreements with Discovery Licensing to create Animal Planet-branded products. Animal Planet is the only television network dedicated exclusively to the connection between humans and animals.

T.F.H. Publications, Inc., a pioneer and the leader in pet publishing for more than 50 years, has entered into a publishing agreement with Discovery Licensing to create and distribute an original series of informative pet care books in North America, beginning in the fall, 2006. The new series, tentatively titled Animal Planet Pet Care Library, will be co-branded, and will reflect the family-friendly, informative content and style that have become hallmarks for Animal Planet viewers and T.F.H. readers.

Kaytee -- an industry leader and manufacturer of high quality, innovative foods and specialty products for pet birds, wild birds and small companion animals -- together with Discovery Licensing, will create a new product line to include food and treats for pet birds and small pet animals (e.g., rabbits, hamsters, gerbils, ferrets). Toys and accessories for birds, small animals and aquatics are to be included under the new agreement, which calls for the creation of more than 70 new products.

"These partnerships bring together high-quality products with recognized brands that consumers know and trust," commented Jim Heim, President of Pet Products Division of Central Garden & Pet. "With its reach of more than 88 million households in the U.S., Animal Planet is an ideal partner for creating, and co-branding, exciting and innovative products that will further enhance the way humans and animals experience the world together. We're extremely pleased about these strategic new partnerships."

Discovery Commerce:

Discovery Commerce is the retail and licensing arm of Discovery Communications, Inc. Discovery Commerce offerings extend the Discovery experience to a worldwide audience through a broad array of entertaining and informative products and services. Discovery's retail channels include a nation-wide chain of Discovery Channel Stores, a seasonal Discovery Channel Store catalog, robust online shopping (discoverystore.com) and direct-to-consumer businesses, and strategic third-party retail and merchandising partnerships. Discovery Global Licensing translates network brands into a wide variety of innovative product lines that are sold through well-known, third-party retailers in both domestic and international markets. These offerings reflect Discovery's core programming genres of science and technology, health, nature, history, travel and exploration. Discovery-branded consumer products are available in 97 countries and 28 languages.

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, SuperPet, All-Glass Aquarium, Oceanic, Kent Marine, Energy Savers Unlimited, Zodiac, Pre-Strike, Altosid, Nylabone, TFH, Four Paws, Interpet, Breeder's Choice and Farnam. Our lawn and garden products include grass seed, wild bird food, weed and insect control products, and decorative outdoor patio 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, Cedar Works, AMDRO, Grant's, Sevin and Over'n Out. For additional information on Central Garden & Pet, including access to the Company's SEC filings, please visit the Company's website at http://www.central.com/.

"Safe Harbor" Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: The statements contained in this release which are not historical facts, including future earnings guidance, are forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those set forth in or implied by forward-looking statements. These risks are described in the Company's Securities and Exchange Commission filings. Central undertakes no obligation to publicly update these forward-looking statements to reflect new information, subsequent events or otherwise.

    CONTACT: Central Garden & Pet
             Paul Warburg, 925-948-3686

    SOURCE: Central Garden & Pet Company