Nylabone Cares™ Gives Back With $1.3 Million of Donations in 2025

NEPTUNE CITY, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec 2, 2025--

Nylabone, an iconic brand in the Central Garden & Pet portfolio, has donated chew toys and treats valued at more than $1.3 million, along with monetary contributions, to animal welfare organizations in 2025. The donations were made through Nylabone Cares™, the brand’s program dedicated to supporting shelter dogs, service animals, and other canines preparing for a new life and family.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251202101601/en/

Throughout 2025, Nylabone donated over 100,000 durable chew toys to animal shelters across the United States. Designed to safely satisfy dogs’ natural urge to chew, Nylabone® chew toys help encourage non-destructive behavior, ease anxiety and stress, and keep dogs enriched and engaged as they wait to find their forever homes.

To commemorate Nylabone’s 70 th birthday, the brand launched CHEWS For Good™ with Best Friends Animal Society. For every 2025 purchase, Nylabone will donate a chew toy to shelter dogs at Best Friends Animal Society-affiliated shelters and rescues—up to 25,000 chew toys! Pet parents can participate by uploading their Nylabone® receipt to nylabonecares.com.

“For more than 70 years, we’ve recognized how much of an impact dogs make on our lives—and how much of an impact chewing makes on theirs,” said Glen S. Axelrod, President and CEO of Nylabone Products. “Giving dogs in need quality, durable chew toys not only enriches their own lives but teaches them the non-destructive chewing habits they need to live happily with their future pet parents.”

Nylabone Cares supports a variety of shelters, rescues, and assistance dog organizations nationwide including but not limited to: American Humane Society, America's VetDogs, Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind, and the ASPCA. The program is also dedicated to supporting nonprofits in Nylabone’s home state of New Jersey and the surrounding areas, such as Monmouth County SPCA, Popcorn Park Zoo, Associated Humane Societies of NJ, and North Shore Animal League. In addition, Nylabone employees helped local families during the holiday season by donating Thanksgiving turkeys to Fulfill Food Bank of Monmouth and Ocean Counties.

Over the past year, Nylabone has teamed up with several charities to fund critical campaigns and projects. For the seventh consecutive year, the brand donated $1 for each pink chew toy sold to the National Breast Cancer Foundation. For its fourth year partnering with the American Humane Military Working Dog Reunification Project, Nylabone sponsored the reunion of retired military working dog Erika with her former handler, Staff Sergeant Tara of the U.S. Air Force.

To advance its mission of helping people and pets in need, Nylabone contributed to Operation Bark Drop, which collects goods from local businesses to support shelters. The brand also donated chew toys to Guiding Eyes for the Blind, supplying vital tools for dogs in training to guide those with vision loss.

These donations align with the Central Garden & Pet Impact strategy, which is dedicated to making positive changes through philanthropic work, focusing on protecting our planet, cultivating our communities, and empowering our employees.

Learn more about Nylabone Cares at https://nylabone.com/about-us/nylabone-cares.

About Nylabone

Nylabone, a leader in healthy chewing since 1955, crafts high-quality chew toys, tasty chew treats, exciting play toys, and innovative dental solutions. A family-founded company, Nylabone has a history of helping pet parents take the best possible care of their dogs. They are committed to developing world-class solutions for destructive chewing, separation anxiety, dental health, and more, helping dogs live fuller, happier lives. Recommended by veterinarians, Nylabone® products encourage a positive relationship between humans and their furry best friends. To put it simply, Nylabone Chews Best™! For more information, visit www.nylabone.com. Nylabone is a brand owned by TFH Publications, Inc. TFH Publications, Inc. is a subsidiary of California-based Central Garden & Pet Company (NASDAQ: CENT) (NASDAQ: CENTA) and has been a leader in responsible animal care for over 70 years.

About Central Garden & Pet

Central Garden & Pet Company (NASDAQ: CENT) (NASDAQ: CENTA) understands home is central to life and has proudly nurtured happy and healthy homes for over 45 years. With fiscal 2025 net sales of $3.1 billion, Central is on a mission to lead the future of the pet and garden industries. The Company’s innovative and trusted products are dedicated to helping lawns grow greener, gardens bloom bigger, pets live healthier, and communities grow stronger. Central is home to a leading portfolio of more than 60 high-quality brands, including Amdro®, Aqueon®, Cadet®, C&S®, Farnam®, Ferry-Morse®, Four Paws®, Kaytee®, Nylabone® and Pennington®, strong manufacturing and distribution capabilities, and a passionate, entrepreneurial growth culture. Central is based in Walnut Creek, California, with over 6,000 employees, primarily across North America. Visit www.central.com to learn more.

Nylabone has donated chew toys and treats valued at more than $1.3 million, along with monetary contributions, to animal welfare organizations in 2025.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes hurt his left knee while trying to keep his team's postseason hopes alive in the waning seconds of a 16-13 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday, and Kansas City coach Andy Reid acknowledged afterward “it did not look good.”

The Chiefs had just crossed midfield with less than two minutes to go when Mahomes scrambled toward the Kansas City sideline, then tried to get rid of the ball. He was spun to the ground upon release by Chargers defensive lineman Da'Shawn Hand, and the two-time MVP immediately grabbed at his left knee while trainers converged on him.

Mahomes was eventually helped to the blue injury tent on the sideline, but he only stayed there for a few moments. He soon emerged with staff members on either side of him, limping toward the locker room with a white towel draped over his head.

“He will get an MRI tomorrow or this evening,” Reid said, “whenever we can.”

Gardner Minshew entered the game and completed three straight passes to give the Chiefs a chance. But he was picked off by Derwin James on a jump ball intended for Travis Kelce with 14 seconds remaining, sealing the Chargers' season sweep of Kansas City.

“I hate the situation. I hate that I couldn’t deliver the win and keep our hopes alive,” Minshew said.

The loss, along with wins by Jacksonville, Buffalo and Houston, eliminated the defending AFC champs from playoff contention.

“It’s very frustrating, man. It’s been hard to watch for Pat, a dude that puts so much into it,” Minshew said. “I’ve never seen someone give so much of themselves to the team. I have confidence in him and his ability to come back better than ever.”

The injury to Mahomes, who threw for just 189 yards with an interception, was merely the latest — and perhaps most severe — in a series of setbacks that had turned what had been one of the NFL's best offenses for the better part of a decade into a shadow of itself.

Kansas City started the game with left tackle Josh Simmons on injured reserve with a fractured wrist, backup Wanya Morris out with a knee injury, right tackle Trey Smith inactive with an ankle injury and right tackle Jawaan Taylor dealing with a triceps injury.

Backup right tackle Jaylon Moore hurt his knee during the game, too, leaving journeyman Esa Pole and Chukwuebuka Godrick — an international pathway player who had never appeared in an NFL game — to protect Mahomes down the stretch.

The Chiefs also were missing Marquise Brown, who was inactive while dealing with a family matter, and fellow wide receiver Tyquan Thornton, who was crushed by Chargers cornerback Tony Jefferson after a 20-yard catch and was evaluated for a concussion.

Another receiver, Xavier Worthy, missed part of the game while clearing the concussion protocol.

It hasn't just been the Chiefs' offense where the injuries have mounted.

They began the game without Trent McDuffie, who was inactive with a knee injury. Then in a span of three straight plays, they lost linebacker Nick Bolton, defensive tackle Chris Jones and cornerback Jaylen Watson, though each of them eventually returned.

“We have a lot of guys who are very resilient in our locker room,” Jones said. “We all knew what was at stake. We all wanted to be part of this game. We were looking forward to it. Unfortunately, we didn't get the outcome we hoped for, but everyone battled.”

AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) gets rid of the ball during the second half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, right, throws the ball away under pressure from Los Angeles Chargers outside linebacker Khalil Mack (52) during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) is pushed out of bounds by Los Angeles Chargers outside linebacker Khalil Mack, left, during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) is checked on after being injured during the second half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Xavier Worthy (1) is checked on after being injured during the first half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)