<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000950170-24-113573.txt : 20241008
<SEC-HEADER>0000950170-24-113573.hdr.sgml : 20241008
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20241008165643
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000950170-24-113573
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	3
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		2
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20240929
FILED AS OF DATE:		20241008
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20241008

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			Smith Bradley G.
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0002038585
		ORGANIZATION NAME:           	

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		3
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-33268
		FILM NUMBER:		241360836

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O CENTRAL GARDEN & PET COMPANY
		STREET 2:		1340 TREAT BOULEVARD, SUITE 600
		CITY:			WALNUT CREEK
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			94597

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			CENTRAL GARDEN & PET CO
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000887733
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	WHOLESALE-MISCELLANEOUS NONDURABLE GOODS [5190]
		ORGANIZATION NAME:           	07 Trade & Services
		IRS NUMBER:				680275553
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			0928

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1340 TREAT BOULEVARD
		STREET 2:		SUITE 600
		CITY:			WALNUT CREEK
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			94597
		BUSINESS PHONE:		9259484000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1340 TREAT BOULEVARD
		STREET 2:		SUITE 600
		CITY:			WALNUT CREEK
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			94597

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	CENTRAL GARDEN & PET COMPANY
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19941019
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>3
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>ownership.xml
<DESCRIPTION>3
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0206</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2024-09-29</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>0</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000887733</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>CENTRAL GARDEN &amp; PET CO</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>CENT</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0002038585</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Smith Bradley G.</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>1340 TREAT BOULEVARD</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>SUITE 600</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>WALNUT CREEK</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>94597</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>false</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>true</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>false</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>false</isOther>
            <officerTitle>Chief Financial Officer</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Class A Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>7285</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Stock Option (Right to Buy)</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>35.216</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2027-02-09</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Class A Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>658</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Includes 219 restricted shares of Class A Common Stock granted on 2/9/21, which shares will vest annually in one-fourth increments and be exercisable beginning on 2/9/22; 1,218 restricted shares of Class A Common Stock granted on 5/18/21, which shares will vest annually in one-third increments and be exercisable beginning on 5/18/23; 562 restricted shares of Class A Common Stock granted on 2/9/22, which shares will vest annually in one-half increments and be exercisable beginning on 2/9/24; 1,152 restricted shares of Class A Common Stock granted on 2/6/23, which shares will vest annually in one-half increments and be exercisable beginning on 2/6/25; 1,127 restricted shares of Class A Common Stock granted on 2/6/24, which shares will vest annually in one-half increments and be exercisable beginning on 2/6/26; and 3,007 restricted shares of Class A Common Stock granted on 2/6/24, which shares will vest annually in one-fourth increments and be exercisable beginning on 2/6/26.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Options were granted February 9, 2021, of which 1,968 have vested and have been exercised; and the remaining 658 shares shall vest and be exercisable on February 9, 2025.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/Bradley Smith</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2024-10-08</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>EX-24.1
<SEQUENCE>2
<FILENAME>cent-ex24_1.htm
<DESCRIPTION>EX-24.1
<TEXT>
<html>
 <head>
  <title>EX-24.1</title>
 </head>
 <body style="margin: auto!important;padding: 8px;line-height: 1;">
  <div style="z-index:-3;min-height:0.5in;position:relative;"></div>
  <p style="font-size:10pt;margin-top:0;font-family:Times New Roman;margin-bottom:12pt;text-align:center;"><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-weight:bold;font-size:12pt;font-family:Times New Roman;min-width:fit-content;">POWER OF ATTORNEY</font></p>
  <p style="text-indent:6.667%;font-size:10pt;margin-top:0;font-family:Times New Roman;margin-bottom:12pt;text-align:left;"><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:12pt;font-family:Times New Roman;min-width:fit-content;">The undersigned hereby constitutes and appoints</font><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-weight:bold;font-size:12pt;font-family:Times New Roman;min-width:fit-content;"> </font><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:12pt;font-family:Times New Roman;min-width:fit-content;">Joyce McCarthy, Howard Machek, Zora Mohseni, JoAnn Jonte, and Filomena Eickstaedt and each of them, his/her true and lawful attorney-in-fact to:</font></p>
  <p style="text-indent:-7.143%;padding-left:6.667%;font-size:10pt;margin-top:0;font-family:Times New Roman;margin-bottom:12pt;text-align:left;"><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:12pt;font-family:Times New Roman;min-width:fit-content;">(1)</font><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;min-width:fit-content;">	</font><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:12pt;font-family:Times New Roman;min-width:fit-content;">execute for and on behalf of the undersigned, in the undersigneds capacity as an officer, director, and/or person who holds more than 10% of the stock of Central Garden &amp; Pet Company (the </font><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;text-decoration:underline;font-size:12pt;font-family:Times New Roman;min-width:fit-content;">Company</font><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:12pt;font-family:Times New Roman;min-width:fit-content;">), Forms 3, Forms 4 and Forms 5 in accordance with Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the </font><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;text-decoration:underline;font-size:12pt;font-family:Times New Roman;min-width:fit-content;">Exchange Act</font><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:12pt;font-family:Times New Roman;min-width:fit-content;">), and the rules thereunder;</font></p>
  <p style="text-indent:-7.143%;padding-left:6.667%;font-size:10pt;margin-top:0;font-family:Times New Roman;margin-bottom:12pt;text-align:left;"><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:12pt;font-family:Times New Roman;min-width:fit-content;">(2)</font><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;min-width:fit-content;">	</font><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:12pt;font-family:Times New Roman;min-width:fit-content;">do and perform any and all acts for and on behalf of the undersigned which may be necessary or desirable to complete and execute any such Forms 3, Forms 4 or Forms 5 and timely file any such forms with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission and any other authority; and</font></p>
  <p style="text-indent:-7.143%;padding-left:6.667%;font-size:10pt;margin-top:0;font-family:Times New Roman;margin-bottom:12pt;text-align:left;"><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:12pt;font-family:Times New Roman;min-width:fit-content;">(3)</font><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;min-width:fit-content;">	</font><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:12pt;font-family:Times New Roman;min-width:fit-content;">take any other action of any type whatsoever in connection with the foregoing which, in the opinion of such attorney-in-fact, may be of benefit to, in the best interest of, or legally required by, the undersigned, it being understood that the documents executed by such attorney-in-fact on behalf of the undersigned, pursuant to this Power of Attorney shall be in such form and shall contain such terms and conditions as such attorney-in-fact may approve in his or her discretion.</font></p>
  <p style="text-indent:6.667%;font-size:10pt;margin-top:0;font-family:Times New Roman;margin-bottom:12pt;text-align:left;"><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:12pt;font-family:Times New Roman;min-width:fit-content;">The undersigned hereby grants to each such attorney-in-fact full power and authority to do and perform any and every act and thing whatsoever requisite, necessary or proper to be done in the exercise of any of the rights and powers herein granted, as fully to all intents and purposes as the undersigned might or could do if personally present, with full power of substitution or revocation, hereby ratifying and confirming all that such attorney-in-fact, or his or her substitute or substitutes, shall lawfully do or cause to be done pursuant to this power of attorney.  The undersigned acknowledges that the foregoing attorneys-in-fact, in serving in such capacity at the request of the undersigned, are not assuming, nor is the Company assuming, any of the undersigneds responsibilities to comply with Section 16 of the Exchange Act.</font></p>
  <p style="text-indent:6.667%;font-size:10pt;margin-top:0;font-family:Times New Roman;margin-bottom:12pt;text-align:left;"><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:12pt;font-family:Times New Roman;min-width:fit-content;">This Power of Attorney shall remain in full force and effect until the undersigned is no longer required to file Forms 3, Forms 4, and Forms 5 with respect to the undersigneds holdings of and transactions in securities issued by the Company, unless earlier revoked by the undersigned in a signed writing delivered to the attorneys-in-fact.</font></p>
  <p style="text-indent:6.667%;font-size:10pt;margin-top:0;font-family:Times New Roman;margin-bottom:0;text-align:left;"><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:12pt;font-family:Times New Roman;min-width:fit-content;">The undersigned has caused this Power of Attorney to be executed as of this 3rd day of October, 2024.</font></p>
  <p style="text-indent:6.667%;font-size:10pt;margin-top:0;font-family:Times New Roman;margin-bottom:0;text-align:left;"><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:12pt;font-family:Times New Roman;min-width:fit-content;"> </font></p>
  <p style="text-indent:6.667%;font-size:10pt;margin-top:0;font-family:Times New Roman;margin-bottom:0;text-align:left;"><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:12pt;font-family:Times New Roman;min-width:fit-content;"> </font></p>
  <p style="margin-left:40%;font-size:10pt;margin-top:0;font-family:Times New Roman;margin-bottom:0;text-align:left;"><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;text-decoration:underline;font-size:12pt;font-family:Times New Roman;min-width:fit-content;">/s/Bradley Smith</font><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;text-decoration:underline;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;min-width:fit-content;">	</font></p>
  <p style="margin-left:40%;font-size:10pt;margin-top:0;font-family:Times New Roman;margin-bottom:12pt;text-align:left;"><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:12pt;font-family:Times New Roman;min-width:fit-content;">Signature</font></p>
  <p style="margin-left:40%;font-size:10pt;margin-top:0;font-family:Times New Roman;margin-bottom:0;text-align:left;"><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;text-decoration:underline;font-size:12pt;font-family:Times New Roman;min-width:fit-content;">Bradley Smith</font><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;text-decoration:underline;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;min-width:fit-content;">	</font></p>
  <p style="margin-left:40%;font-size:10pt;margin-top:0;font-family:Times New Roman;margin-bottom:0;text-align:left;"><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:12pt;font-family:Times New Roman;min-width:fit-content;">Print Name</font></p>
  <div class="page-node-content"><div style="z-index:-3;flex-direction:column;display:flex;min-height:0.5in;justify-content:flex-end;position:relative;"></div></div>
  <hr style="page-break-after:always;">
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</html>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
