SARASOTA, Fla. (WWSB) – A Florida lifestyle magazine devoted to dogs has expanded far beyond its original mission, becoming a force for animal advocacy and political change over nearly two decades.
Anna Cooke, editor-in-chief of The New Barker, said the publication started as a lifestyle magazine for dogs and their owners but has grown into something she never expected.
“If you had told me almost 20 years ago that I was going to be getting into animal advocacy and politics, I would have laughed,” Cooke said. “We created it as a lifestyle magazine, but we have gotten into changing ordinances, laws, statewide and local. And it really just impacted my life. It changed my life.”
88-year-old Salvation Army bell ringer celebrates 16 years of holiday service
The publication worked with Grey 2K USA to end greyhound racing in Florida. The magazine helped campaign for Amendment 13, which went to public vote in 2020. Greyhound racing officially ended in Florida in 2021.
“The folks at Grey 2K USA, they really taught me about patience, tenacity, respect, and do your research,” Cooke said. “But stick with it. It is not an overnight success story.”
The New Barker has raised money for animal welfare organizations throughout the state. The magazine raised $5,000 for the Humane Society of Sarasota County by auctioning the opportunity for dog owners to have their pets featured on the magazine cover.
The winning bidder receives the original artwork from the cover. A recent cover featured Dante, a dog from Dante’s Den rescue organization, owned by Marcia Panucci.
“We’ve helped a lot of rescues and shelter groups, and I’m partial to Dante’s Den for the work that they’re doing,” Cooke said.
The magazine has subscribers worldwide, though it remains focused on Florida stories and issues.
Copyright 2025 WWSB. All rights reserved.
