WALNUT CREEK, Calif., Feb. 11, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Product of the Year USA, the nation's largest consumer-driven packaged good competition, has announced Adams™ Smart Shield^® Applicator, a flea and tick control innovation from the Central Garden & Pet Company, as the Pet Care Category Winner for 2013. This coveted vote of consumer confidence is based on a robust survey of 50,138 everyday shoppers and recognized nationwide as a trusted benchmark for the most innovative products on the market.

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"This national recognition from Product of the Year affirms and inspires Central Garden & Pet's commitment to provide pet owners with smarter pet care solutions," said Steve LeVeau, Director of Marketing for Animal Health, Adams Pet Products.  "The aisle for flea and tick control products has become increasingly crowded with a vast array of solutions for pet owners.  We are honored that the Adams™ Smart Shield® Applicator has been distinguished as the consumer's preferred choice for its innovation and quality."

The Adams™ Smart Shield^® Applicator is a breakthrough topical flea and tick control delivery device designed to work with Adams™ Spot On^® products. Pet owners appreciate how easy it is to insert the product tube into the unique Adams™ Smart Shield^® Applicator and effectively apply flea and tick treatment to their pet for less cost than most vet brands. The patent-pending design is easy to grip, helps part fur for direct application to the pet's skin (where the bugs live) and effectively keeps liquid off hands, empowering pet owners with the confidence to apply treatment by themselves, without a mess.

"With all the pet products available in store and all the opinions online, it can be overwhelming to sort through the options and identify what is best," said Colleen Kelly, Managing Director of Product of the Year. "Consumers are savvy, recognize quality and value innovation that makes their lives easier. The Product of the Year competition collects their insights and elevates their voices to help shoppers make better choices at check-out."  

You can find Adams™ products at retailers nationwide including Walmart, PetSmart, Petco, Kroger, Lowes, Publix, Amazon.com, and your local pet store. Consumers can use the convenient online store locator at www.adamspetcare.com to find the store carrying Adams™ products closest to their home.

About Adams™
Adams™ products take a smarter approach to pet care and makes protecting your family, pet, home, and yard easier and more effective. The Adams™ line of products, which has been sold by veterinarians for more than 30 years, includes topical products, shampoos, collars and sprays for your home, yard, dogs, puppies, cats and kittens and is available almost everywhere pet products are sold. For a complete product list and more information, visit www.adamspetcare.com/.

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 & 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 ®, 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®, 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®, Vita Flex® and Horse Health™ Products. 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 3,800 employees, primarily in North America.

About Product of the Year (POY)
Product of the Year is the only consumer product award that rewards innovation and is voted on by actual consumers. Established 26 years ago in France, POY currently operates in 32 countries with the same purpose: Guide consumers to the best products in their market and reward manufacturers for quality and innovation. Backed by the votes of 50,138 consumers, the distinct red POY logo serves as a shortcut for shoppers in the supermarket, saving them time and money. For manufacturers of the winning products, the award is a powerful marketing message proven to increase retail distribution and sales by an average of 10-15%. Product of the Year accepts entries every year from consumer packaged goods that demonstrate innovation and were launched within the previous year. Entered products are then placed into specific categories such as food, beverages, personal care, household care, etc. with a product then being chosen as a winner in its category through a nationally representative online study. For more information visit www.productoftheyearusa.com

Media Contact:
Vickie Fite
vickie.fite@mslgroup.com
310.461.0383

SOURCE Adams Pet Products