Undoubtedly, stories about animals rescued from the streets are touching and prove that there are still good-hearted individuals in society. However, the actions taken by a Thai animal sanctuary towards animals with unique requirements are truly praiseworthy.
Amidst the global troubles, countless animals have been left homeless, abandoned or born on the streets. Thailand, on the other hand, presents a unique scenario as it goes against their culture to interact with stray animals.
Although many animals in this group have been neglected, one man in Thailand has stepped up to make a difference. Michael J. Baines, a Swedish chef living in Thailand, has taken it upon himself to rescue stray animals by establishing a sanctuary for them. As the president and co-founder of The Man That Rescues Dogs, an animal rescue organization located in Chon Buri, Michael has made a significant impact in the lives of these animals that were previously ignored.
Ever since he started his incredible work, he has successfully rescued more than 2,000 animals from the streets, which includes both cats and dogs. What makes our sanctuary stand out from others is that we specifically focus on rescuing injured animals and giving them a new lease on life.
Initially, Michael started by providing food to the stray animals on the streets. However, upon realizing the dire situation of these animals, he took it upon himself to set up a sanctuary to help them. As of now, the shelter houses approximately 600 animals, which has been quite a difficult feat, but one that Michael and his team have successfully accomplished.
The animals at the shelter are taken care of by Chris Chidichimo, along with his main assistant and a team of 30 others. Their work goes beyond just caring for rescued dogs and cats, as they also handle unexpected emergencies as a rescue group. Chris shared with Bored Panda:
The biggest challenge we face at the shelter is handling unexpected situations. To keep our animals healthy and happy, we follow a strict routine that involves activities such as eating, walking, cleaning, physiotherapy, and hydrotherapy. However, being flexible is crucial, even though it can be quite a daunting task. Our daily routine at the shelter kicks off with a refreshing 6 a.m. walk for all the furry inhabitants, including our adorable dogs in wheelchairs. Once we return, we serve them a delicious meal followed by some time for themselves and some cleaning up.
In addition, Chris mentioned that there is a food truck which sets off at 7 in the morning to provide meals for around 350 stray dogs in the locality.
Every day at 10 in the morning, we provide our dogs with hydro and physiotherapy for their physical wellbeing. We also take them for a walk at 2 p.m., followed by feeding and bathing. Find out more about our canine family on our Dog Family page.