Nestled in a peaceful Thai village near Bangkok, surrounded by cassava fields, a Chinese cemetery, and a local garbage dump, lives Swedish expatriate Michael J. Baines with his dogs.
Once a successful chef, Michael moved to Thailand in 2002 seeking a new beginning after battling addiction and working under challenging circumstances. Faced with a pivotal moment in his life, he chose to change direction.
Today, Michael J. Baines is the president and co-founder of “The Man That Rescues Dogs,” a nonprofit organization dedicated to rescuing and rehabilitating stray, sick, and paralyzed dogs.
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Michael J. Baines left his career as a chef to establish a sanctuary for stray, sick, and paralyzed dogs in Thailand.
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“The Man That Rescues Dogs” Foundation currently cares for over 1,000 dogs, including the Wheelchair Mafia, a group of dogs known for their presence on TikTok. 
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With over 1,000 dogs under his care, Baines’ life took a remarkable turn. He has documented his journey in a heartwarming memoir titled “Home. Made.” The book details his transformation from a successful chef in Sweden’s vibrant restaurant scene to the founder of a dedicated sanctuary for dogs. Through “Home. Made.,” Baines shares the story of how he built a community of rescued dogs, highlighting their resilience and the unexpected heroes that emerged along the way. Proceeds from the book support the TMTRD Foundation.
Image credits: tmtrdorg 
Image credits: tmtrdorg
Michael J. Baines started his mission by feeding local stray dogs near his restaurant before founding the TMTRD Foundation. 
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What began as a small act of kindness—feeding local stray dogs near his restaurant and along his route to work—grew into a larger mission as Michael J. Baines encountered more dogs in poor health needing urgent medical care. He started by adopting several of these dogs into his home, providing them with food, shelter, and veterinary treatment. Over time, realizing the extent of the need, he decided to leave his career in the restaurant industry and dedicate himself fully to rescuing dogs.
Today, the TMTRD Sanctuary is home to 776 dogs, and the foundation also supports over 450 stray dogs on the streets with food and care.
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Launched in 2017, “The Man That Rescues Dogs” Foundation now cares for 766 dogs at its sanctuary. The 8,000 square meter facility includes eight main shelters, a full-service veterinary clinic, specialized care units, a sterile quarantine area for new rescues and dogs with serious illnesses, three hydrotherapy pools, and designated play and relaxation areas. In addition to the dogs housed at the sanctuary, the foundation provides food and monitoring for 450 stray dogs in the Bang Saen and Sriracha areas. TMTRD also works to manage the stray population through spaying and neutering, and provides essential vaccinations and medical care. 
Image credits: tmtrdorg 
Image credits: tmtrdorg 
Image credits: tmtrdorg
The sanctuary is more than just a place for dogs to heal. Despite its modest facilities, it has become a close-knit community with over 30 staff members, including veterinarians, construction workers, and administrative personnel. Among them are individuals with diverse and unusual backgrounds, such as a former bank robber, an aspiring Formula One driver, and a dog trainer who escaped a life of domestic violence.
Michael J. Baines has written a book titled “Home. Made.” to help raise funds for the foundation.
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In celebration of International Dog Day on Monday, August 26, 2024, Michael J. Baines will launch his memoir to honor the Foundation and its residents. The royalties from the book will be donated to the TMTRD Foundation.
“Home. Made.” offers a candid and heartfelt account of Baines’ transformation from a troubled individual to a dedicated dog rescuer. The memoir details his personal journey, the inspiring stories of the dogs he has rescued and rehabilitated, and the positive impact on pet culture in Thailand.
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A significant portion of the book’s proceeds, 70%, will be donated to “The Man That Rescues Dogs” Foundation. 
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Typically, authors receive 5-10% of book royalties, but Michael J. Baines’ publisher, Witchcraft—an all-female startup based in the USA that supports nonprofits through book sales—will donate 70% of the royalties from “Home. Made.” to “The Man That Rescues Dogs” Foundation. The remaining 30% will be used to support the ongoing success of Witchcraft’s books and its nonprofit partners. 
Image credits: tmtrdorg 
Image credits: tmtrdorg 
Image credits: tmtrdorg 
Image credits: tmtrdorg
“Home. Made.” is a truly remarkable tale of Thailand’s most resilient pack 
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The memoir will be available for purchase at heywitchcraft.com, where readers can sign up for updates. Early subscribers will have the chance to enter a competition to win a visit to TMTRD in Thailand. They will also receive exclusive content, including behind-the-scenes glimpses, additional chapters, recipes from Michael J. Baines, and updates on Witchcraft’s upcoming books.
