User:ZooMedLaboratories/sandbox

Zoo Med Laboratories, Inc. is a manufacturer of pet products specializing in reptile, aquarium and bird products.

The company was founded in 1977 by Gary Bagnall originally as a live reptile import/export company under the name "In Cold Blood". In the next two years, the name changed to Orange County Zoological and finally California Zoological Supply, which is still in business today and owned by Tyrone Dillon.

History
Gary Bagnall started working in the pet industry at age 11 working for Russo's Pets in Newport Beach, California. At age 19 Gary worked briefly for a tropical fish wholesaler in Los Angeles named Underwater World, where he started importing and selling live reptiles on the side until he started the venture full time under the name "In Cold Blood" (as reptiles are ectothermic or "cold blooded"). Within a year Gary teamed up with accomplished elophe snake breeder, Lloyd Lemke, and the name changed to Orange County Zoological. The next year, Gary struck off on his own and the name changed finally to California Zoological Supply.

While running California Zoological Supply (ie Cal Zoo) Gary had the opportunity to procure a vitamin designed for reptiles under the trademark name "ReptiVite". This one product did so well that Gary split the business into two, keeping Cal Zoo and naming the dry goods portion of the Business Zoo Med Laboratories, Inc. (ie Zoo Med).