Cologne is a media city – and pet stronghold. But many young animal owners hardly find time for classic practice visits in the full daily life and study of study. Therefore, the startup Rex opens its first NRW location in Cologne city center-with app, real-time diagnostics and well-thought-out design. Mit Grand Founder Jonathan Loesing explains how the concept is eliminated, the EPA brings on the cell phone for the animal and focuses on the needs of a new generation of animal owners.
Cologne. When celebrities walk through Ehrenfeld with pugs or influencers turn their cat content series in the city center, it is clear: Cologne loves animals and likes to show it. The Petfluencer hype, in which pets on Instagram and Co. become stars, has long since reached the media city. And the number of pets rapidly grows away from the ramp light. In the city center alone, the number of reported dogs rose by around 68 percent between 2020 and 2024. At the same time, many young people live in Cologne whose everyday life is shaped by tight schedules, jobs and family life. For these professionals, it is not an option to sit in the waiting room for hours or wait for weeks for an appointment. “The requirements for veterinary medicine change: owners want the best possible care. And preferably from anywhere,” says Jonathan Loesing, founder of Rex. Together with co -founder Julian Lechner, he recognized this early. As early as 2021, they developed a concept that combined modern veterinary practices with comprehensive, digitally supported care. The idea behind it: supply conveniently via the app, data -based and efficient. After Berlin, Hamburg and Munich, the company now opens its eighth location in the middle of Cologne city center, at the Hohenstaufenring 60. For Loesing it is clear: “Cologne needs veterinary care that fits the dynamic rhythm.”
Why Cologne needs flexible veterinary products
Cologne is quick, creative and demanding – especially for young people who have to bring family, work and pets under one roof. According to the city administration, over 21,000 people work in the media industry, often in changing projects and with several jobs at the same time. Anyone who has an animal here needs one thing above all: flexibility. But reality often looks different: many practices are overloaded, and their opening times can hardly be reconciled with a full everyday working life. Many pet owners report long waiting times, lack of accessibility and appointments that can hardly be reconciled with job or pendulum times. Especially in a city like Cologne where over 300,000 people come to work every day (1)this becomes a real challenge. Rex wants to change that.
Via app, without a call – this is how digital practice works
“With us, the entire appointment is digitally, so without a call,” explains Loesing. The electronic patient file is integrated directly into the practical software. So patient data and pre -stories do not have to be filled and explained again and again. The founder emphasizes: “We want a visit to the vet just as uncomplicated as a modern hairdresser appointment.” The app not only manages treatments, but also reminds of vaccinations or preventive examinations and shares examination results. “Our in -house laboratories make it possible for the results to be available on the same day. We'll do what it took earlier days. That should make the real difference, especially for the young, often worried pet owners,” says Loesing. Benefits or follow -up checks can also be processed online. The supply of the four -legged friends also works independently of the location. “We want to work in particular and over 360,000 commuters every day who come to work in Cologne, so that we can always rely on the highest quality – whether in Cologne, Berlin or Munich,” emphasizes Loesing.
Young Cologne, new responsibility: pets as a family
With over 100,000 students at 24 universities, Cologne is one of the youngest cities in Germany. At the same time, the average age of the population is around 42 years – characterized by an active, urban age group between 18 and early 40th. For many of these millennials and members of generation Z, the pet has long been more than just a companion: it is an integral part of everyday family life. Around 60 percent of millennials even see their pet as a kind of child replacement. This also changes the demands on veterinary care. Instead of cool waiting zones and tiled look, many want a place that exudes calm. That is why Rex relies on a new room concept: separate waiting areas for dogs and cats and soothing scents with natural wood instead of PVC. Toys, treats and empathic staff complete the picture. “The more relaxed the pet owners are, the more calm your animals behave and can be treated better,” emphasizes Loesing.
Technology promotes animal welfare and strengthens the team spirit
Not only the practice scores, but also the digital system behind the veterinary counter is well received by Rex customers: As an interface between practice and customer, the REX app stores all medical data of the four-legged friends, analyzes treatment courses and recognizes abnormalities early, for example through changes in weight or behavior. “We want to actively give personalized pension recommendations before it gets serious,” says Loesing. The Rex development team has programmed its own algorithms – a novelty in veterinary medicine. At the same time, the software is synchronized across all locations. In this way, every animal can be looked after in any Rex practice without a new registration. “The pet boom is not a short -term trend – and it is time for veterinary medicine to react to the life realities of modern, urban owners. With solutions that work flexibly, reliably and independently,” summarizes the founder.
About Rex
Rex is a startup founded in Berlin in 2021 in Berlin by Jonathan Loesing and Julian Lechner. On the one hand, Rex operates its own, modern, technology -based veterinary practices. On the other hand, Rex also offers a digital platform for pet owners for veterinary dates, telemedicine and an electronic patient file. The focus of Rex is on a pleasant customer experience, digitized processes and first -class veterinary care. The company has already collected over five million euros from investors and is aiming to digitize the market for veterinary care and make it more efficient. More information on www .Rex .app.
source
1. Pend ler at las .de/n o r d r h e i n-w e s t f a l e n/k o e ln/
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