CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA, UNITED STATES - Michael J. Baines, President and Co-Founder of The Man That Rescues Dogs Foundation, has announced the release of his first book, Home. Made.

The memoir, which will be launched on International Dog Day (Monday, August 26, 2024), documents Baines’ remarkable journey from the bustling kitchens of Sweden’s most popular restaurant scene, to the tranquil cassava fields of Bang Saen, Thailand. The Swedish entrepreneur quit his successful culinary career to open a nonprofit rescue and rehabilitation center for stray dogs.

Opened in 2017, the TMTRD Sanctuary now has 1,000 dogs in its care, housing 750+ rescues (including 50 TikTok-famous paralyzed dogs affectionately nicknamed The Wheelchair Mafia); whilst also monitoring and feeding an additional 400 stray dogs. Baines’ book explores the many heartwarming success stories of the dogs that have been rescued, treated and adopted to find their forever homes, as well as the positive development of pet culture in Thailand.

In a deeply honest and moving account, Baines also opens up on the challenges of his own life, namely his personal struggles with drug and alcohol addiction. After somehow finding himself working for the Yugoslavian Mafia in Sweden, the chef became caught up in the dangerous world of drugs, chasing highs to ward off his demons, before he was delivered a life-changing ultimatum.

“It’s a damn good book… The first I’ve read in 10 years, in fact,” Baines joked. “It is the story of my life, but more importantly, it’s the story of my dogs’ lives – they’re far more interesting and inspiring than I am, and I hope readers agree."

Home. Made. marks the first production of Witchcraft, an all-female start-up working to bring funding to nonprofits on the front lines of social change through the art and power of books. The memoir will be available to purchase online at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Books-A-Million, Target, Walmart, and in libraries across the country. For more information, visit heywitchcraft.com to sign up for updates.

For media inquiries relating to the book, please contact Caroline Oatway: [email protected]

ABOUT THE FOUNDATION
After moving to Thailand from Sweden in 2002 for a fresh start and to advance his career as a chef, Michael J. Baines began feeding the local dogs outside his restaurant. With many of his canine friends in poor health and in need of medical care, he adopted several himself, providing food, shelter and treatment at the local veterinary clinic. Despite limited funds and space, he dedicated his free time to rescuing as many dogs as he could, eventually launching his Foundation, The Man That Rescues Dogs.

Opened in 2017 and located just outside of Bangkok, Thailand, the Foundation currently houses 750+ rescued dogs, monitoring and feeding a further 400 within the Bang Saen and Sriracha area. Covering 8,000 sqm, the Sanctuary contains eight main shelters, a full-service clinic, specialized Care Units, a sterile quarantine section for new rescues and dogs with serious diseases, three hydrotherapy pools, and play and relaxation areas.
More than 30 staff members, skilled veterinarians, construction workers and administrative staff are employed by the Foundation, which is supported by the local government in Thailand. TMTRD provides nutritious meals per day to dogs in its care, and also serves to help control the stray dog population in the local area through spaying and neutering, whilst administering life-saving vaccinations and medical care.

The Man That Rescues Dogs Foundation relies heavily on the generosity of donations, accepted via PayPal ([email protected] / paypal.me/tmtrd), SWIFT (KASITHBK), GIVE.Asia (tmtrd.give.asia) or bank transfer:

Thailand: Kasikorn Bank: 0538123870
The Man That Rescues Dogs Foundation

CONTACT TMTRD
Shelter/Office: Inside Saensuk municipality Solid Waste Disposal Center 146/9 BaanNongKha Soi 15 Moo 11, Bangphra sub-district, Sriracha district, Chonburi 20110
Phone: 0843542334
Email: [email protected]
Website: tmtrd.org

TMTRD SOCIAL MEDIA
Facebook: facebook.com/tmtrdorg | Twitter/X: twitter.com/tmtrdorg | Instagram: instagram.com/tmtrdorg | TikTok: tiktok.com/@tmtrdorg | Threads: threads.net/@tmtrdorg | YouTube: youtube.com/@TMTRD

ABOUT WITCHCRAFT
Witchcraft is an all-female start-up working to bring funding to nonprofits on the front lines of social change using for-profit advantages. We produce books to benefit each organization by generating awareness, positive media attention, and revenue in the form of book royalties. Each book purchase results in a direct donation to the organization. Our mission is to revolutionize the nonprofit industrial complex by providing a social enterprise model that unites causes and conscious consumers to dismantle systems of oppression through the celebration of purchasing power.

Website: heywitchcraft.com | Instagram: instagram.com/heywitchcraft | LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/heywitchcraft
CEO: Samantha Wilson: [email protected] | LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/samantha-wilson-75985a21a/