Based in the south of Bangkok, this Swede has created a foundation that helps stray dogs and cats. It even offers free veterinary care to the poorest families!
In April 2011, when he left Sture-Compagniet, the trendy restaurant-nightclub in Stockholm of which he was the sous-chef, Michael J. Baines was happy. He has just resigned and, in a few days, he will fly to Thailand where he was hired as chef at Carrot, a restaurant in Chonburi, a coastal town south of Bangkok. For this man born in Scotland and arrived in Sweden at the age of 2, this chosen uprooting is a joy.
What he does not know yet is that he will turn his life upside down. “One evening, I was smoking after duty at the back of the Carrot, when I saw an injured dog starving. She moved me. I fed her. She was my first contact with the cause of dogs and cats stray from Thailand “, remembers Michael. “In Bangkok, it is estimated that 300,000 the number of animals in the streets. Outside the city, thousands more roam as well. The population treats them cruelly. And since there are very few shelters, their situation is dramatic “, continues our chef, now 53 years old.
Michael’s team today brings together 30 people who care for 600 dogs
He then decides to fight for them and ensures night rounds of food. He quickly realizes that this is insufficient and decides to grab the bull by the horns. His idea ? Create a foundation and open a refuge. This was done in October 2011, in Chonburi itself where, thanks to the help obtained from private donors, “The Man That Rescues Dogs” (The Man Who Saves Dogs) is born (more information on tmtrd.org).
Today, his team is made up of thirty people, who take care of no less than 600 dogs, 45 of which suffer from various disabilities. In all, more than 2,000 stray dogs and cats were saved thanks to the generous Swede’s sole initiative.
“It is more important to have healthy animals than to make a profit”
“The biggest challenge is dealing with unexpected situations. As a rescue organization we deal with serious emergencies on a daily basis. Therefore, we have to remain flexible.”, says Chris Chidichimo, Michael’s assistant. This is the reason why, since January 2019, the refuge has its own veterinary clinic who provides care to the residents of the shelter as well as to pets of poor families.
“It is more important for us to have healthy animals, vaccinated and sterilized, than to make a profit”, says Michael. Because of the health crisis, the structure, which depends on the generosity of donors, saw its donations drop by 40%. But our Swede is combative, and he knows that he can count on a team of animal lovers ready to do anything to allow their protégés to lead happy and healthy lives!
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