Michael J. Baines, a Scottish restaurateur, relocated to Thailand 15 years ago after falling in love with the country during a visit with his wife. After leaving their previous residence in Sweden, the couple opened a restaurant in Thailand.
A thin and hungry stray dog approached a man who was working one day in search of food. This encounter altered his life as the dog’s eyes appeared to convey a plea for assistance. Upon closer examination, he discovered that the dog was malnourished and had recently given birth. He began feeding her daily because he could not stand to see her in pain. This experience inspired him to help other dogs in distress, as he could not bear to see them in pain.
When Baines saw the condition of the neglected dogs in his area, he had an epiphany. It was evident that he needed to act. Therefore, he resolved to feed the stray dogs every day with consistency and devotion. To ensure that each dog received a meal, he stopped at seventeen distinct locations along three distinct routes.
Baines made eight stops on his way to work and fed 30 dogs. After breakfast, he gathered food and made eight or nine additional stops to feed 30 to 35 additional dogs in preparation for his second run. Six additional canines were fed outside of his restaurant, and four to five canines were fed on his way home from work. The dedication of Baines to providing for these dogs has had a profound effect on their lives.
The scaly canines are fed a combination of dry food, boiled rice, and vegetable oil containing bouillon. Their taste buds are treated to a flavorful chicken, pork, and fish mixture that has been boiled together. Baines gives these four-legged companions a monthly dose of worm and flea prevention powder to maintain their health. All expenses are covered by either Baines’s own funds or generous donations. In 2003, Baines and his wife, Gill Dalley, founded The Soi Dog Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing strays with a safe haven.
Their goal is to improve the quality of life for dogs and cats in Asia, which will ultimately benefit both the animal and human populations. They work towards establishing a society without pets and, ultimately, ending animal suffering.
Currently, the Soi Dog Foundation is home to the largest and most comprehensive hospitals for cats and dogs in Asia, and possibly the entire world. The facility serves only the medical requirements of stray dogs. Gill’s devotion to her animal companions compelled her to spend the last four years of her life designing and supervising the construction of the dog hospital, fulfilling a promise she made many years earlier to provide exceptional care for her beloved street dogs.
Baines continues to be actively involved with the Soi Dog Foundation, keeping his promise to Gill and the stray cats and dogs. In 2020, he was awarded an MBE in Queen Elizabeth II’s birthday honors in recognition of his efforts to improve animal welfare in Southeast Asia.
