EXHIBIT 99.3

 
                     [LETTERHEAD OF CENTRAL GARDEN & PET]

                                        Contacts:  Gregory Reams                
                                                   Central Garden & Pet         
                                                   (510) 283-4573               
                                                       
                                                   Paul Verbinnen/Debbie Miller 
                                                   Sard Vebinnnen & Co.         
                                                   (212) 687-8080            


         CENTRAL GARDEN & PET COMPLETES ACQUISITION OF PENNINGTON SEED
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     LAYFETTE, CA, March 4, 1998 -- Central Garden & Pet Company (NASDAQ:CENT) 
today announced that is has completed the previously announced acquisition of 
Pennington Seed, Inc., a manufacturer of proprietary branded grass and wild bird
seed, including such brand names as Pennington Seed/R/, Green Charm/R/, 
Penkoted/R/ and Eliminator/R/, and a manufacturer and distributor of lawn and 
garden products, for a combination of cash and Central Common Stock.  In 
addition, Sonny Pennington, the President of Pennington Seed, had been appointed
to Central's Board of Directors, effective today.

     Pennington Seed reported consolidated annual sales of approximately $300 
million in 1997.  Principal customers include large national chains such as 
Wal-Mart, Kmart, Lowes and Home Depot as well as independent retailers.  Based 
in Madison, Georgia, Pennington has approximately 750 employees.

     In accordance with the terms of the purchase agreement, Central intends to
file with the Securities and Exchange Commission a Registration Statement on
Form S-3 in order to register the shares of Central Common Stock issued in the
Pennington acquisition.

     Central Garden & Pet Company is the leading national distributor of lawn 
and garden and pet supply products. Central offers customers a wide array of 
value-added services designed to increase the sales and profitability of both 
manufacturers and retailers, including inventory management, advertising and 
promotional programs, in-store service and display building and sales program 
development.  Central also offers lines of proprietary branded products which 
include Kaytee/R/, TFH/R/, Zodiac/R/, and Four Paws/R/ pet producers, Island/R/ 
aquariums, Matthews/R/ redwood products and Grant's/R/ ant control products.

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