SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549 ___________ FORM 8-K CURRENT REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OF 15(D) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported) DECEMBER 8, 1997 -------------------------------- CENTRAL GARDEN & PET COMPANY - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) DELAWARE 0-20242 68-0275553 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (State or other jurisdiction (Commission File (IRS Employer of incorporation) Number) Identification No.) 3697 MT. DIABLO BOULEVARD, LAFAYETTE, CALIFORNIA 94549 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code) Registrant's telephone number, including area code (510) 283-4573 ----------------------------- INAPPLICABLE - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (Former name or former address if changed since last report) Exhibit Index located on page 3 ITEM 5. OTHER EVENTS On December 8, 1997, Central Garden & Pet Company issued a press release announcing that it had signed a definitive agreement to acquire TFH Publications, Inc., the largest producer of pet books in the United States and a manufacturer of premium dog chews and edible bones under the brand name Nylabone(R). ITEM 7. FINANCIAL STATEMENT AND EXHIBITS (a) Not applicable (b) Not applicable (c) See attached Exhibit Index. 2 EXHIBIT INDEX Number Exhibit Page Number - ------ ------- ----------- 99.1 TFH Press Release dated December 8, 1997. 5 3 SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized. CENTRAL GARDEN & PET COMPANY By /s/ Robert B. Jones ------------------------------- Robert B. Jones, Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Dated: December 8, 1997 4