Hi, my name is Zach, and I’m the owner and operator of Pups Fresh Fade, LLC, a small mobile dog grooming business in Hollister, CA.

This November marks one year since Pups Fresh Fade opened — and while it’s been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life, it’s also been a huge learning curve. Being a first-time business owner and first-time dad has come with challenges, but I’ve always kept pushing forward for my family.

Recently, though, things have taken a heartbreaking turn. My business — and my family’s safety — have both been put at risk. The hardest part is that the person threatening everything is my own father.

When I first started my business, my dad helped with the down payment on the van and a few other startup costs. At the time, we had a baby on the way, and I accepted his help, not realizing I was stepping back into an old, painful pattern. My father has been abusive and controlling in the past, and unfortunately, those same patterns resurfaced.

After starting therapy, I began remembering a lot of trauma I had buried. When I told him I needed space, he reacted by threatening to shut down my business and trying to provoke me into violence.

Over the past two months, he’s repeatedly threatened to shut down the business and refused to leave the property. Things recently became dangerous enough that the police had to be called. Thankfully, I wasn’t badly hurt, but I couldn’t keep living just 20 feet away from him anymore.

To keep my family safe, we had to leave everything behind and drive across the state to stay with my in-laws. We spent the last of our money on gas to get there.

Right now, we’re safe and incredibly grateful to have food and a temporary place to stay — but financially, we’re struggling to keep our business and lives afloat.

Our current pressing concerns:

• Both of our bank accounts are in the negative

• We have no safe place to stay back in Hollister until he’s evicted

• We have no way to pay personal bills

• We have no money for gas or basic supplies (even things like shampoo and conditioner)

• The van payment is $2,300 and insurance just went up by 50%

• Many of my grooming tools need replacing to keep working

• Taxes, business license renewals, and credit card payments are still due soon

I’ve poured everything I have into this business — every dollar, every ounce of energy, every spare moment. It’s not just a job; it’s how I support my family and build a better future for us.

I’ve never asked for help like this before. It’s humbling, and it’s hard. But right now, I don’t see another way.

If you can give, any amount will make a real difference — to help us get back on our feet, keep Pups Fresh Fade alive, and rebuild stability for my family’s future. And if you can’t donate, please consider sharing our story.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart,

Zach, Bree, Beau, and Barry