Serenity offers a compassionate and dignified way to allow your pet to enjoy their final moments in the comfort of their own home, with their family.
Serenity was created and is operated by Penny Downing MRCVS. Penny has been a veterinary surgeon since 2011 and has a wide range of experience from dogs, cats and rabbits, to cattle, goats and horses.
Penny’s passion for veterinary work has been with her from a young age, starting when she watched Animal Hospital on television in the 1990s. Despite her family having no pets, she managed to fill her time gaining experience working with animals of all types before applying for a veterinary degree.
After five years of studying at the Royal Veterinary College in London, she graduated and began her first job at a mixed practice in Bedfordshire. This is where she met Marmite, the cat who would become her best buddy and shadow at home for the next 13 years. After two years, Penny returned to her native Lancashire and worked for Andrew Melling Ltd, a livestock and equine practice, for three years. For the last 9 years, she has worked at Wendy Lane Vets, developing lasting client and patient relationships and gaining a certificate in advanced veterinary practice with a focus on feline medicine.
In the summer of 2025, Marmite had a sudden deterioration in health at the age of 16. Penny had to make the decision to euthanise her furry friend. Being able to perform this procedure at home was of great comfort to Penny, her husband, and their other cat, Thomas. Marmite passed away peacefully, snuggled up on Penny’s lap, purring to the last second. Having personal experience of the comfort and peace of a home euthanasia, Penny is devoted to ensuring the same experience is available to all pets and pet parents.
Area Covered
Serenity’s home pet euthanasia visits are provided across the north of Greater Manchester and south-east of Lancashire, primarily in Rochdale, Bury and Rossendale.