From sparing thousands of animals suffering in laboratories to crippling the mohair trade and rescuing animals trapped in hurricane floodwaters, PETA had quite the year in 2018. Let’s take a minute to recognize the strides that we made to keep animals out of laboratories, off our plates, away from circuses, and more!

Some childhood experiences are never forgotten. They’re the ones that shocked us to the core—the ones that we carry around inside us and that shaped, changed, and molded us into who we are now. Lynn Sunday, a dedicated PETA member, shares an experience that moved her to speak out for animals.