Michael J. Baines, President and Founder of The Man That Rescues Dogs foundation
Text: Chris Chidichimo, TMTRD Program Director; Photo: Archive
Michael J. Baines never imagined he would one day run a sanctuary for hundreds of street dogs. A Swedish chef and entrepreneur, he moved to Bangsaen, Thailand in 2002 to open a restaurant and start a new life chapter. Everything changed when a sick, starving stray appeared behind his restaurant one afternoon. He fed her, cleaned her wounds, and watched her return day after day. That single moment of compassion became his turning point.
Michael didn’t stop after helping one starving stray, but instead began feeding other dogs on the streets after work, treating their injuries, and transporting them to local clinics using his own money. Over time, it became more than a side effort – it became a calling. He decided to close his restaurant business and devote himself entirely to the dogs who had no one else. He chose to feed dogs instead of people, and what started as a personal mission has grown into a nationally recognized foundation.
Today, The Man That Rescues Dogs (TMTRD) is home to over 820 rescued dogs. While many are healthy and thriving, around 100 dogs are elderly, disabled, or recovering from serious trauma and live in a special care unit where they receive extra support. Another 45 dogs, all paralyzed from past injuries or illnesses, are affectionately known as the “Wheelchair Mafia” and can be seen racing joyfully around the sanctuary in their custom carts. Another 450 street dogs are fed daily along the roads of Chonburi, receiving food, care, and kindness.
Michael now leads a team of 46 full-time staff, and the foundation is supported by the local government, as well as by donors around the world who believe in this work. TMTRD is more than a shelter. It is a fully functioning sanctuary with an in-house veterinary clinic and regular sterilization campaigns, both on site and in the community. Spay and neuter are essential to reducing suffering, and every effort is made to prevent unwanted litters.
The Man That Rescues Dogs foundation team
The numbers speak for themselves:
- 1,600 spayed and neutered dogs and cats
- 180 animals rescued just last year
- 3,600 patients who have been provided medical treatment at the sanctuary clinic in 2024
These are not just statistics – they represent thousands of lives changed through compassion, care, and teamwork.
It costs around 60,000 baht per day (roughly $1,650 USD) to operate the foundation. Every meal, every surgery, and every rescue depend on donations.
To give readers a clearer idea of how far their support goes:
- $50 vaccinates 5 dogs
- $30 covers one spay or neuter surgery
- $150 feeds all 820+ dogs in our care for a full day
- $300 fuels our rescue and feeding vehicles for an entire month
While many people ask about adopting dogs abroad, TMTRD only adopts within Thailand. Michael and his team believe that with so many dogs in need around the world and with shelters already being overburdened, it is better to focus on finding loving homes within the country.
At its core, TMTRD is a story of what can happen when someone sees suffering and decides to act. Michael’s journey from chef to animal rescuer continues to inspire others, proving that one act of kindness really can change the world.
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