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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 O/SeBSJiOvx4JO4WATgf0KYwbE8LXhu08YDWAXQm9Gmhb81jYsB2I3CmLA4KfKdD
 H754/MBR7JfgXZHvOIan2Q==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000891092-08-002556.txt : 20080513
<SEC-HEADER>0000891092-08-002556.hdr.sgml : 20080513
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20080513163620
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000891092-08-002556
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20080509
FILED AS OF DATE:		20080513
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20080513

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			CENTRAL GARDEN & PET CO
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000887733
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	WHOLESALE-MISCELLANEOUS NONDURABLE GOODS [5190]
		IRS NUMBER:				680275553
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	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

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			MINDICH JEREMY
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001431207

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-33268
		FILM NUMBER:		08828004

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		BUSINESS PHONE:		212-370-0303

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O SCOPIA MANAGEMENT INC
		STREET 2:		450 SEVENTH AVENUE, 43RD FLOOR
		CITY:			NEW YORK
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			10123

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			SCOPIA MANAGEMENT INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001279150
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			NY
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-33268
		FILM NUMBER:		08828005

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		450 SEVENTH AVENUE
		STREET 2:		43RD FLOOR
		CITY:			NEW YORK
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			10123
		BUSINESS PHONE:		212-370-0303

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		450 SEVENTH AVENUE
		STREET 2:		43RD FLOOR
		CITY:			NEW YORK
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			10123

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			SIROVICH MATTHEW
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001431208

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-33268
		FILM NUMBER:		08828006

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		BUSINESS PHONE:		212-370-0303

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O SCOPIA MANAGEMENT INC
		STREET 2:		450 SEVENTH AVENUE, 43RD FLOOR
		CITY:			NEW YORK
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			10123
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>e31599_ex.xml
<DESCRIPTION>FORM 4
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2008-05-09</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

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

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001279150</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>SCOPIA MANAGEMENT INC</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>450 SEVENTH AVENUE</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>43RD FLOOR</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>NEW YORK</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NY</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>10123</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001431207</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>MINDICH JEREMY</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O SCOPIA MANAGEMENT INC</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>450 SEVENTH AVENUE, 43RD FLOOR</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>NEW YORK</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NY</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>10123</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001431208</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>SIROVICH MATTHEW</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O SCOPIA MANAGEMENT INC</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>450 SEVENTH AVENUE, 43RD FLOOR</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>NEW YORK</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NY</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>10123</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Class A</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2008-05-09</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>P</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>30247</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>5.3053</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>4918821</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>See Footnote</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2008-05-09</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>P</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>2305462</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>See Footnote</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2008-05-09</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>P</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>60310</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Class A</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2008-05-09</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>P</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>66886</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">These securities are held in the accounts of several investment funds and managed accounts (the &quot;Investment Vehicles&quot;) for
 which Scopia Management Inc. (&quot;Scopia Management&quot;) serves as the investment manager. Matthew Sirovich and Jeremy Mindich are
 the control persons of Scopia Management. Scopia Management and Messrs. Sirovich and Mindich may be deemed to beneficially
 own the securities held by the Investment Vehicles and Messrs. Sirovich and Mindich's status as the control persons of
 Scopia Management. Each such Reporting Person disclaims beneficial ownership of the reported securities except to the extent
 of his or its pecuniary interest therein, and this report shall not be deemed an admission that such Reporting Person is the
 beneficial owner of the securities for purposes of Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or for any
 other purposes.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">These securities are owned by Matthew Sirovich who is a Reporting Person.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Scopia Management Inc By: /s/ Jeremy Mindich, President</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2008-05-13</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Jeremy Mindich</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2008-05-13</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Matthew Sirovich</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2008-05-13</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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