Banfield Pet Hospital: Hiring, Background Check & Employment Verification FAQs

Banfield was founded in 1955 by veterinarian Warren J. Wegert in Portland, Oregon, taking its name from the nearby Banfield Freeway. In 1987, Scott Campbell purchased the single veterinary hospital, which had roughly $2 million in annual revenue at the time, and built it into a national practice, creating the holding company Medical Management International, Inc. In 1994, Banfield formed a partnership with PetSmart, initially called VetSmart, to place veterinary clinics inside PetSmart retail stores, a model that became central to Banfield's rapid growth over the following decades.

By 2004, Banfield had become the largest privately owned veterinary practice in the United States. In September 2007, longtime CEO Scott Campbell sold his shares in the company to Mars, Incorporated, the candy and pet food conglomerate, which had been building a portfolio of veterinary businesses; PetSmart sold its remaining shares in 2015. Banfield relocated its headquarters from Portland to nearby Vancouver, Washington, in 2014. Mars has continued expanding its veterinary care holdings, later acquiring BluePearl Specialty and Emergency Pet Hospitals in 2015 and VCA Animal Hospitals for $9.1 billion in 2017, placing Banfield alongside these brands within Mars Veterinary Health.

Today, Banfield employs more than 16,000 associates, including more than 3,600 veterinarians, across its more than 1,000 hospital locations. The company's workforce includes veterinarians, veterinary technicians, veterinary assistants, and client service coordinators who support day-to-day hospital operations, with a particular emphasis on preventive care delivered through the company's Optimum Wellness Plans.

Company culture and employee programs: Banfield emphasizes preventive veterinary care as its core mission, publishing evidence-based research and an annual State of Pet Health Report as part of its industry leadership positioning. The company's Vancouver, Washington headquarters even features a public dog park. As part of Mars Veterinary Health, Banfield associates may have access to broader corporate resources and career paths, including cross-brand programs such as the SPARK innovation showcase. Benefits, training, and advancement opportunities can vary by hospital and role, so candidates should confirm specifics with a recruiter during the hiring process.

Yes. Employers in the veterinary healthcare industry, including Banfield, are legally permitted to conduct pre-employment background checks on job candidates, provided they comply with applicable federal, state, and local laws. In the United States, employment screening is governed by the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), which requires employers to obtain written consent, provide disclosures, and follow adverse action procedures.

Banfield is generally reported to conduct background checks as part of its hiring process, which is standard for veterinary healthcare employers, particularly given access to controlled substances used in animal medicine.

The hiring process for veterinary roles at Banfield typically includes an application, one or more interviews with hospital leadership, verification of any required veterinary licenses or certifications, and a background check prior to a final offer.

Background check timelines can vary based on the type of screening requested and how quickly records can be verified. Learn more about typical background check turnaround times to understand what factors can affect the process.

A typical pre-employment background check for a veterinary hospital role may include:

Under the FCRA, criminal history reporting is generally limited to seven years for most background checks, though state laws may extend or restrict this timeframe depending on the type of record and jurisdiction.

Hiring decisions involving candidates with criminal records are generally made on a case-by-case basis, taking into account the nature of the offense, how much time has passed, and its relevance to the role, particularly for positions with access to controlled substances used in veterinary medicine. Some states have adopted "ban-the-box" laws that restrict when employers can ask about criminal history during the hiring process.

Candidates can generally expect to provide personal information such as full legal name, date of birth, and Social Security number, along with signed consent authorizing the background check, in compliance with FCRA requirements. Veterinary roles typically also require verification of relevant state licensure.

The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) is a federal law that regulates how employers can use background check information in hiring decisions. It requires employers to notify candidates before running a check, obtain written consent, and follow specific adverse action procedures if a decision is made based on background check results.

Running a personal background check with Checkr lets you preview what Banfield Pet Hospital may see during the hiring process, helping you address any concerns before you apply. A personal background check can include:

Learn more about Checkr Personal Background Checks and explore your Checkr Profile to see what information may appear in your own background check.

If you're a candidate with a background check in progress through Checkr as part of your application to Banfield Pet Hospital or another employer, you can check your status through the Candidate Portal. For additional support, visit the Checkr Help Center.

The information provided in this article does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice. All information is for general informational purposes only. Checkr does not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of this information and is not responsible for any errors or omissions, or for the results obtained from the use of this information. This article may contain links to other third-party websites. Such links are only for the convenience of the reader. Checkr does not endorse the contents of the third-party sites and disclaims any affiliation with the companies mentioned in this article unless otherwise stated.