The chef found his true calling while rescuing dogs in Thailand (18 photos + 1 video)
Did the Swedish chef and drug-addicted party animal know when he moved to Thailand in 2002 to advance his career that he would devote himself entirely to rescuing and rehabilitating stray, sick and paralyzed dogs? It is unlikely that he even thought about it. But life put everything in its place. 
In a quiet Thai village outside Bangkok, between lush cassava fields, a Chinese cemetery and the local garbage dump, lives a Swede named Michael J. Baines and his dogs live with him.
Michael used to be a successful chef. He moved to Thailand in 2002 to start a new life and advance his culinary career. Also one of the reasons was his desire to get rid of drug addiction and problems associated with the drug mafia, which he once had the imprudence to contact.
Today, the Swedish entrepreneur is the president and co-founder of The Man That Rescues Dogs, a non-profit rescue and rehabilitation center for homeless, sick and paralyzed dogs.
Michael Baines quit his job as a chef to open a shelter for stray, sick and paralyzed dogs in Thailand 
The “Man Who Saves Dogs” foundation currently cares for more than 1,000 dogs, including the “Wheelchair Mafia,” famous on social networks. 
The Wheelchair Mafia - this is what Michael calls his disabled dogs that move with the help of “wheelchairs”
With more than 1,000 dogs currently in his care, Baines' life story has taken a truly amazing turn, which he has decided to chronicle in a heart-warming memoir to raise funds for the TMTRD Foundation.
Aptly titled "Home. Made.", the book follows the journey of an ordinary man who leaves the bustling kitchens of Sweden's most popular restaurants to create an extraordinary community of outsiders, survivors and unlikely heroes.
At first, Michael simply fed local stray dogs near his restaurant. He ended up founding the TMTRD Foundation
It all started with a small act of kindness: he fed the local dogs outside his restaurant, then the ones he passed on his way to work. But since many of the animals were unwell and in need of urgent medical attention, Michael decided to take a few into his home, providing them with food, shelter and treatment at a local veterinary clinic.
Over time, more and more dogs in need of help came into his care, and he eventually made a radical decision: put down his kitchen utensils, quit his job in the restaurant business, and become a rescuer for the many four-legged, three-legged, and two-legged dogs that roam the streets of Thailand. .
In total, 776 dogs live in the TMTRD shelter, and over 450 street dogs receive food and proper care outside the shelter walls.
The Man Who Rescues Dogs Foundation, founded in 2017, is currently home to 766 dogs. On an area of 8,000 sq. m there are eight main shelters, a full-service clinic, specialized departments, a sterile quarantine area for newly rescued dogs and dogs with serious illnesses, three hydrotherapy pools, as well as play and relaxation areas.
Another 450 dogs are receiving food and proper care on the streets of Bang Saen and Sriracha. TMTRD also helps control stray animal populations by providing spaying and neutering, as well as providing life-saving vaccinations and medical care.
However, the shelter is not only a place to treat dogs. Despite its modest surroundings and homemade amenities, it also became a close-knit family of people who had somehow found themselves “thrown out” from society.
It now employs more than 30 staff - veterinarians, construction workers, administrative staff, as well as a former bank robber, an aspiring Formula 1 racer and a "magical dog whisperer" who escaped domestic violence.
Michael J. Baines wrote a book called "Home. Made." to raise funds for the foundation
In honor of this year's International Dog Day (Monday, August 26, 2024), Baines is set to honor the Foundation and its lovable inhabitants with the release of his memoir, royalties from which will be donated to TMTRD.
In the deeply honest and touching story "Home. Made." explores Michael's personal journey from drug-addicted party animal to heroic dog rescuer, and features many heart-wrenching success stories of dogs who have been rescued, treated and given into good hands.
What's unique is that 70% of the royalties for the book "Home. Made." will be donated back to the Man Who Saves Dogs Foundation
While traditionally the author only receives 5-10% of a book's royalties, Witchcraft, an all-female US startup working to fund nonprofits on the front lines of social change through the power of books, will donate 70% of royalties to TMTRD. and his dogs, and the remaining 30% will be reinvested to continue the success of their books and beneficiary non-profits.
"Home. Made." is a truly amazing story about Thailand's most resilient pack
The memoir will be available for purchase at heywitchcraft.com, where readers can sign up for updates now. Early subscribers will automatically be entered into a competition to visit TMTRD in Thailand, as well as get a “behind the scenes” look, additional chapters of the book, recipes from “Chef Michael,” insider discounts and news about upcoming Witchcraft books.
