Drummond's Pet Grooming

Drummond's Pet Grooming Drummond's is a full service grooming salon in Alameda. We offer full grooming and canine massage service from a certified canine therapist.

All dog breeds are welcome!

Good morning everyone!Just found out about this service, it’s an online vets service where you set up a zoom call.They c...
05/29/2026

Good morning everyone!

Just found out about this service, it’s an online vets service where you set up a zoom call.

They can diagnose most issues via a video call and offer price matching prescriptions.

This is a subscription service starting at $11 a month, I’m sure there are different price points but a service like this can eliminate the need for costly vet visits for routine issues.

For our own dog we are hit with $300 a go every 8 weeks for a chronic ear problem when all we really need is the prescription refill.

While I haven’t made a specific post about pricing in vets, I have spoken to pretty much every client about vets visits at one time or another and the common thread is that pricing, certainly locally seems to be unusually high and all are priced similarly which I have always found questionable.

They can’t do shots so a regular vet will be needed for that but routine issues seem to be covered in a plan.

Same as always, there is no incentive for me to promote this business I just thought you would like to know about it.

Thank you

05/22/2026

Good morning everyone,

Something of a personal nature to tell you about!

Before I start please know that everything is fine!!!

On Wednesday our son finished school at 12.30pm and was due to go to after-school care within the school campus.

Sadly this didn’t happen.

Assumptions were made that he was on his way to after-school and when he didn’t show up assumptions were made by after-school on his whereabouts.

At 5.10pm my wife received a call from Alameda Police enquiring about our son who had been picked up in Alameda Theater

Nearly 5 hours had passed.

Luckily my wife was nearby and on the way to collect our son as normal at after-school and got our son shortly after receiving the call.

He had spent his day going in and out of shops on Park Street and eventually he asked someone for help.

What followed was a near collapse of our lives, the shock was very hard to take.

When those involved were contacted nobody really knew what was happening because as I have said assumptions were made and nobody knew much of anything.

Our son was fine after everything and took everything in his stride.

After numerous calls, emails and meetings I am very happy to let you know that all policies regarding school and after school policies have been amended for all children, families and caregivers.

Now absentee lists will be cross checked between school and after-school and parents will be notified immediately of any absence for clarification.

It might not seem like a win but all children will be a lot safer going forward.

Circulatory emails will be going out to families and caregivers in my son’s school, from the school itself and after-school programs regarding procedures for points of contact and roles and responsibilities for everyone.

What could have been a disaster has made a big difference.

For those that receive emails today or in the coming days you will already know why but for those parents, caregivers and families that are not in my sons school I would encourage you to contact your school and be absolutely clear going forward on what is expected from you, the school and any after-school programs for absence.

I would also encourage you to tell your neighbors and friends with children that might not see this post to contact their schools too.

Given the day that was in it, it happened to be my late father in law’s anniversary so we knew instantly that he was with our son every step of the way.

I would like to thank Alameda Police Department for their speedy response and the team at Starbucks - Park & Central Alameda for calling the police the first place.

Also thank you to Alameda Theater for taking such great care of our son.

Thank you Amy for your support and direction too.

Thank you,

Nicholas.

Good afternoon everyone,Terms have been agreed for a new location, a lease is being prepared however a commencement date...
05/06/2026

Good afternoon everyone,

Terms have been agreed for a new location, a lease is being prepared however a commencement date has yet to be determined, looking like June or early July.

This will usher in a new era for the Pet Grooming Industry!

This new location will have independent groomers that will start their own businesses and LLC’s as part of having a grooming station there and paying a monthly rental fee

It will give those starting out a platform to build their own clientele and gain confidence in running their own business without the nightmare of selling your soul on a personal guarantee like I had to do when I first started

The first person to start a new LLC is being sponsored by me personally and the hope is that down the road others will sponsor new businesses to start. I couldn’t be happier for them

The days of groomers doing 100% of the work and getting a wage or 50% commission (sounds like a great deal until you’re doing it!) are coming to an end

The earning potential for each Groomer is entirely up to them

Those that do all the work should be rewarded properly, not me or anyone else who has their name on the door!

This is all about looking after the the people that look after your dogs and making an industry accountable for how the people in it are treated

I will keep Drummond’s open as long as I can but this new location isn’t too far away if Drummond’s has to close at any point

More details coming soon and the branding will be tweaked a little but for now….

“Le Grá Pet Spa” coming soon

Thank you,

Nicholas.

Good morning everyone,Please read all of this carefully!!!!!As most of you know I am always looking at least 4-6 months ...
04/06/2026

Good morning everyone,

Please read all of this carefully!!!!!

As most of you know I am always looking at least 4-6 months ahead because I have to

This is due most of you being on a 2-3 month schedule and the importance I put on consistency and routine for your dogs

As I’m writing this I am already starting to get my holiday schedule together, it sounds like it’s a long way off but it’s really not that far away in this business

(PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING CAREFULLY)

Unfortunately my lease is coming to an end here, mine and every other business here have not been able to secure lease extensions and all will go on a month to month agreement once current leases expire

From July 1st I will be on a month to month agreement.

From the beginning of July at any point from then on I can receive a 60 day notice to quit by the landlords

I will have to give 30 days notice to quit should I decide to move on

This has not happened as yet!

This will put my schedule under a lot of pressure as is happening already

I have already been working on securing a lease elsewhere and will hope to move things along soon

My plan is to keep this business located in Bay Farm for as long as possible but it would be foolish of me to leave my business hanging on the potential of being out with nowhere to go after 2 months, again that is why I am always looking months down the road

In the coming weeks/months I will open a second location which I believe will be a very special and important step forward for the Pet Grooming Industry as a whole but more on that later

From July or whenever it happens I will operate two businesses across two locations, everyone that has been coming in up to now will have appointments here in Bay Farm as usual for as long as possible

Nobody will lose their place but new clients will be asked to go to my second location once it opens

I’m a bit late opening my schedule for this quarter but I’m sure after reading this post you’ll understand why

Appointments are now available for April - June 30th, please send on any requests as usual

Scheduling will change to 2 month windows at a time from the beginning of July

So although this is not the end, after 7 years it is the beginning of the final chapter for Drummond’s Pet Grooming

Thank you all for being a part of this incredible journey so far and long may it continue

None of it would have happened without you!!!

Thank you,

Nicholas.

Good morning everyone,It’s nice that there is a day when Autism is recognized worldwide but for any family or individual...
04/02/2026

Good morning everyone,

It’s nice that there is a day when Autism is recognized worldwide but for any family or individual dealing with Autism it’s every day

When you find out that Autism will be a part of your family it can be very difficult to process and even more difficult to work through

It’s so broad that there is no one way to approach it, you have to work to find out what works and change quickly when things aren’t working

We now see Autism as a gift that has given us a wonderful young man that is years ahead of his peers when it comes to strength of character, emotional awareness, being a born leader among a lot more qualities rarely seen in people these days

Autism is a fight that as parents you must fight, you can’t ever give in because the world we live in, although is getting better is still very challenging for Neurodivergent individuals

Autism has shaped my business in so many ways, learning about non verbal communication I believe it has helped me to understand your dogs better and communicate to you what they may need help with

In Autism the value of understanding routine, patience and consistency has made me a better dad and has played a huge role in how my business runs and how your dogs are treated here

My business stays where it is because we can access services here that we couldn’t access at home, if your dogs or you are happy with the services provided it is with thanks to Autism being part of our lives

Because my business is where it is and exists at all it has allowed approximately $10,000 to be donated to charities over the years through direct donations, secret Santas and an uncountable number of complimentary services given to those going through hardships, sickness, loss and rainbow bridge visits for all dogs

Gratuities don’t go in my pocket they are used to top up charity donations and cover the base costs of those complimentary services for those less fortunate and for that I thank you

None of it would have happened if Autism hadn’t been a part of our lives and I am extremely thankful for that

Autism is a gift that we have embraced as best we can, Autism has helped so many people and dogs through the years and long may it continue

Thank you,

Nicholas.

Good afternoon everyone Since the beginning of 2026 there has been a growing problem hereWhile most of you are always on...
03/24/2026

Good afternoon everyone

Since the beginning of 2026 there has been a growing problem here

While most of you are always on time there is a growing group that are constantly 5-10 minutes late for drop off and or pick up

When this happens you push into someone else’s scheduled appointment

The result is that both I and your dogs and always the dogs following are under constant pressure

This business was set up to be different than any other grooming business, the goal for here is to work at your dogs pace and allow time to finish up and let your dogs relax for a few minutes before going home however I am increasingly finishing while someone is waiting at the door

The 5-10 minutes that you think is nothing is the difference between me rushing to finish or not being able to take a break or give your dogs the time they need and while I’m somewhat embarrassed to say it’s important that you know there are many days I can’t even get a bathroom break

Again today I have lost over an hour to late arrivals and pick ups

I have to change this immediately

Those that are routinely late will have a different format to their reminder messages

My cancel and move on time was 15 minutes, that is now down to 10 minutes

If you can’t be here within 10 minutes I will cancel your appointment! No more rushing to accommodate anyone

I will extend my pick up notification to 20 minutes instead of the usual 15 minutes

If you are more than 10 minutes late after receiving a pick up time I will cancel future appointments

There’s no point in adding a charge I’ve tried that and it didn’t change any behaviors so a change of scenery or groomers might be more beneficial to get this message across

Please understand that I am aware that things happen that are beyond anyone’s control so it’s no problem should something go wrong, a simple courtesy text message will go a long way and solve a lot of problems

This is 100% directed at those that are routinely late

My business will go through some significant changes in the coming months and priority will be given to those that help me keep this business running as it was and should be

Thank you,

Nicholas.

La Fhéile Pádraig Sone DaiobhHave a great day!!!
03/17/2026

La Fhéile Pádraig Sone Daiobh

Have a great day!!!

Extremely sad to learn of the passing yesterday of a true gentleman and a friend of Drummond’s from the very start.I wil...
02/26/2026

Extremely sad to learn of the passing yesterday of a true gentleman and a friend of Drummond’s from the very start.

I will respectfully leave their name and that of their family off this post but a true gentleman and part of the community that will be sadly missed.

Best wishes to the family at this difficult time.

Good afternoon everyone!For 99.9% of you please pay no attention to this post since most of you are trusted regular clie...
01/21/2026

Good afternoon everyone!

For 99.9% of you please pay no attention to this post since most of you are trusted regular clients.

A booking deposit is now required for all New Clients.

Booking Deposits will only be taken on a card.

Cash or Checks will not be accepted as a Booking Deposit.

Booking Deposits are fully refundable up to 24 hours before your scheduled appointment.

Between 24 and 12 hours notice to Cancel 50% of the Booking Deposit will be returned.

Less than 12 hours or not showing up for your appointment will result in a full appointment cost being charged to your card and a termination of any future services.

Thank you,

Nicholas.

Wishing you all a very safe, happy and healthy 2026 All the way from Killiney Bay, very close to where I grew up in Coun...
12/31/2025

Wishing you all a very safe, happy and healthy 2026

All the way from Killiney Bay, very close to where I grew up in County Dublin.

See you soon.

Address

887A Island Drive
Alameda, CA
94502

Opening Hours

Monday 9:15am - 10:30am
12pm - 7pm
Tuesday 9:15am - 10:30am
12pm - 7pm
Wednesday 9:15am - 10:30am
12pm - 7pm
Thursday 9:15am - 10:30am
12pm - 7pm
Friday 8:30am - 7pm

Telephone

+14158583572

Website

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