Sadly, some dogs don’t live in happy homes and wander the streets underfed and vulnerable to abuse. It is only with the help of generous local heroes, that they can live a long, happy life. One such hero is Michael J. Baines, who goes by the name of “The Man Who Rescues Dogs.
Baines was born in Scotland and moved to Switzerland at the age of 2. He then relocated to Thailand, where he has resided for the past 14 years.
Whilst living in Thailand he was heartbroken to see how many abandoned dogs walked the dangerous streets, and he decided to create a solution.
Thailand is a beautiful country, but unfortunately, it has long been overpopulated with stray dogs. Sadly, these abandoned dogs are vulnerable to starvation, sickness, or being killed and sold in the country’s dog meat trade. Baines explained how locals feel about the strays:
“All the people here say there are too many dogs and want to shoot them. People in Thailand say it’s a dog problem. I say it’s a people problem. If they start to educate, then the people problem will slowly go away, and the dogs will live happily ever after.”
Michael J. Baines had a job as the manager and chef of Carrot, a popular restaurant in the city of Chonburi. As he was working here one day, a hungry, sick dog came begging for food. He discovered that the dog had also just given birth to a litter of puppies, and Baines could not bear to see the poor mother go hungry.
He went into the kitchen and prepared her some food, which she happily ate up. It was clear she hadn’t eaten in days, and Baines could tell she was very grateful.
He told Newsner, “I looked into her eyes…she said, ‘Help me. I’m hungry.’ She touched me. I started to see how they suffer and how friendly they are.”
After this kindness, the dog began to return to him every day to be fed, and Baines found that he could never ignore her. She would be just one of many dogs Baines would go on to save.
“And then it just kept going. I simply could not stand to see dogs in distress,” Baines explained to Newsner.
Baines quickly discovered that he had a weakness for struggling dogs, and went on to rescue nine dogs of his own, one of which had no hind legs. Most people would have stopped there, but he knew there was more work to be done for the dogs of Thailand. In 2016, the dog rescuer joked, “nine is not crazy, but 10 would be crazy. Nine is a good number.”
As he walked his beloved dogs each day, he saw countless hungry, injured dogs on the streets, and the dog lover knew in his heart he could save more.
In Newsner, Baines commented, “I pass them every day to and from work while I walk my own dogs, who were all street dogs as well. I just can’t look at them and do nothing.”
Five years later, this kind-hearted man now feeds about 80 strays regularly, going out 3 times a day to deliver food to different locations where the dogs congregate. He’s also been able to get about 100 dogs sterilised, and found homes for around 30.
Baines’ duties include going out to the streets to rescue the dogs, feeding them, and giving them a safe, warm place to rest. He also pays for them to be spayed, neutered, and gives them any medicine they might need. Finally, Baines tries to get the dogs adopted into good homes so that they can spend the rest of their days loved and protected.
He pays for all of this solely out of his own income, always putting the animals first.
Furthermore, the kind man doesn’t just give them standard dog food, he lets them indulge in chicken, fish, steamed rice, as well as homemade broth. This is a life of luxury compared to the dogs’ previous life of homelessness.
This nutrient-rich food is not cheap, and the meals alone cost Baines roughly $1000 a month. Baines accepts donations, but the majority of the outgoings come from his own wages.
“The dogs that I take care of are doing well, though many still suffer from lack of food or medicine. I mix deworming medicine into their food once a month, so that helps with fighting against heartworms and ticks,” he said in Newsner.
Baines went on to explain the most rewarding part of the job:
“A few of them are really friendly. I can hug them and play with them. Some are really scared, even after two years. One of the best feelings is when you have an old dog who has been abused all its life and you can actually touch and hug them. It can take two years, but when it happens, it is amazing!”
Bains also believes that people who sell dogs for a high price are immoral:
“I think markets and shops that sell puppies should be shut down completely. People who want a dog should head to the street or shelters. I have a bunch that need a home — and these dogs are free,” he said in Newsner.
Currently, director Anna Röd Tjernström is creating a documentary based on Baine’s work, called “The Man Who Rescues Dogs.”
The documentary aims to raise awareness for Baines’ amazing work, as well as highlight the bigger issue of the lack of support for stray dogs in Thailand.
It takes guts and dedication to save dogs in a country that has seemingly turned its back on the animals. We are amazed at the tireless, expensive work that Baines commits to every day, and how many lives he has been able to save!