Zoo Med Laboratories
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Pet care products |
| Founded | 1977 |
| Founder | Gary Bagnall |
| Headquarters | San Luis Obispo , United States |
Key people | Gary Bagnall (Founder and CEO), Steve Dalrymple (COO), Ken Fontes (CFO), Rita Zarate (VP of Sales) |
| Products | Reptile supplies, aquarium supplies, avian supplies |
Number of employees | 150 |
Zoo Med Laboratories, Inc. is a privately owned company specializing in the production of niche pet care products for reptiles, amphibians, fish, insects, birds, and small mammals. Established in 1977 by Gary Bagnall, the firm operates out of its headquarters in San Luis Obispo, California and employs around 150 individuals. The leadership team features founder and CEO Gary Bagnall, Chief Operating Officer Steve Dalrymple, Chief Financial Officer Ken Fontes, and Vice President of Sales Rita Zarate. The company’s portfolio primarily includes supplies for reptiles, aquariums, and avian care.
History
At the age of 19, Gary Bagnall started a live reptile import/export venture named "In Cold Blood," which operated from a garage in Costa Mesa. In 1978, he collaborated with snake breeder Lloyd Lemke to establish Orange County Zoological. Following their separation in 1979, the enterprise was rebranded as California Zoological Supply.
From 1979 through 1981, California Zoological Supply was among the first to bring species such as Uromastyx aegyptius, Pacific Island boas, and albino Columbian red-tailed boas into the United States market.
In 1984, Bagnall launched "ReptiVite," recognized as the initial vitamin supplement created exclusively for reptiles. This development resulted in a division of the business: while California Zoological Supply continued focusing on reptile imports, the dry goods portion evolved into Zoo Med Laboratories.
Zoo Med further contributed to reptile husbandry by inventing the first UVB fluorescent lamp in 1993, designed to simulate sunlight necessary for Vitamin D3 production.
In September 2020, PETA initiated legal action against Zoo Med, accusing the company’s enclosures of causing harm to snakes by promoting inadequate living environments. Subsequently, in 2021, PETA assigned Zoo Med its "Pants on Fire" award for allegedly providing misleading information regarding suitable snake tank dimensions.