UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

                             ----------------------

                                    FORM 8-K

                                 CURRENT REPORT
                       PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF
                       THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934


       DATE OF REPORT (Date of earliest event reported): February 7, 2001


                         COMMISSION FILE NUMBER 1-15943


                 CHARLES RIVER LABORATORIES INTERNATIONAL, INC.
             (Exact Name of Registrant as specified in its Charter)


        DELAWARE                                        06-1397316
(State of Incorporation)                    (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)


             251 BALLARDVALE STREET, WILMINGTON, MASSACHUSETTS 01887
               (Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)


                                  978-658-6000
              (Registrant's Telephone Number, Including Area Code)




                        ITEM 9. REGULATION FD DISCLOSURE

On February 7, 2001, the Registrant issued a press release announcing the
signing of a definitive agreement to acquire Primedica Corporation from Genzyme
Transgenics Corporation for $52 million. The purchase price includes $26 million
in cash, $16.5 million in restricted stock of the Registrant, and $9.5 million
in assumed debt. The purpose of this Form 8-K is to furnish the press release
for informational purposes only. A copy of the press release is furnished with
this Form 8-K as Exhibit 99.1.

EXHIBIT 99.1

Press Release dated February 7, 2001


                                   SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended,
we have duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned
hereunto duly authorized.

                                  CHARLES RIVER LABORATORIES INTERNATIONAL, INC.

Dated: February 7, 2001

                                  BY: /s/ Dennis R. Shaughnessy
                                      --------------------------------------
                                  Dennis R. Shaughnessy, Sr. Vice President,
                                  Business Development, General Counsel
                                  and Secretary