History
It all started with a casual comment made in jest by a Yamhill County Dog Control officer:
Why don’t you start a humane society?
Julie Julson and her husband, Joe, had recently moved to McMinnville after losing their beloved dog. A devoted dog lover, Julie was eager to adopt again. When she visited dog control, she was shown three brindle puppies scheduled for euthanasia. Told she could have them for free if she brought them all home, she didn’t hesitate – she went home with three puppies! She kept two and placed an ad in the newspaper for the third, quickly finding it a home.
When Julie learned that the typical fate of homeless dogs in Yamhill County in 1975 was euthanasia after a short holding period, she knew she had to help. She began rescuing dogs, housing them in her garage and later in foster homes, and finding them adoptive families. On one trip to pick up dogs, an officer jokingly said, “Why don’t you start a humane society?” That idea took root, and with the help of Susan Aker and Debbie Tuck, Julie formed the Yamhill County Humane Society on February 27, 1975.
As more dogs and cats needed help, the Board of Directors realized a permanent shelter was needed. In October 1979, Amberwood Kennels on Loop Road went up for sale, and the board focused on fundraising and financing. They finalized the $175,000 purchase on March 15, 1980, and the doors officially opened on June 2, 1980. It opened as “Evergreen Doe Humane Society”, honoring two major donors: Evergreen Helicopters of McMinnville and the Marguerite Doe Foundation of Santa Barbara, CA.
At a time when euthanasia was the standard, Evergreen Doe Humane Society offered a compassionate alternative to save the lives of innocent animals. It was the first no-kill animal shelter in Oregon and the only one in the estate caring for cats. Instead of being discarded, homeless animals received love, care, and second chances at lives filled with love, safety, and companionship.
In 2003, the Evergreen Doe Human Society was renamed Homeward Bound Pets Humane Society. Just as it was in the beginning, we continue to rescue and rehabilitate homeless, neglected, and abused dogs and cats; each one stays with us until they are adopted and sometimes it takes years to find the perfect fit for a variety of reasons.
We honor our founder, Julie Julson, along with the board members, staff, volunteers, and supporters whose dedication and compassion have made a lasting impact on countless lives.
