Furry friends who live in the metropolis on the Neckar have been lucky so far, as Stuttgart is one of the most dog-friendly cities in Germany. But with the number of four-legged friends, veterinarians in the region are slowly reaching their capacity limits: appointments are becoming more scarce and waiting times longer. At the same time, many owners work full-time and have difficulty finding time for veterinary visits in their everyday lives. The veterinary startup Rex has recognized this gap in care and now wants to close it in Stuttgart: At the beginning of the year, it opened its first practice in the city center. The company wants to offer more flexibility, especially to working people and families, through digital support via app, electronic patient files and long opening hours. Founder Jonathan Loesing explains how the successful concept from the capital reduces waiting times and focuses on the needs of urban pet parents.
Stuttgart. The state capital of Baden-Württemberg is considered the second most dog-friendly city in Germany (1). This is also reflected in the growing number of registered dogs. While there were around 13,800 four-legged friends at the beginning of 2015, there are now over 16,000 (2,3). The problem: “Veterinary practices are becoming increasingly busy. Owners sometimes have to wait several days for an appointment and even regular visits are often associated with long waiting times,” explains Jonathan Loesing, managing director of the veterinary startup Rex. He emphasizes: “This can be a real health risk for the four-legged friends. Because working people in particular don't have time to sit in waiting rooms for hours in everyday life.” At the same time, the city's advancing digitalization is shaping the demands on services as a whole. In 2025, the metropolis on the Neckar will take third place in the Bitkom Smart City Index. Expectations of veterinary medicine are growing accordingly. “The owners in Stuttgart are increasingly attaching importance to fast supply via smartphone, a functional design and availability around the clock,” explains Loesing. Based on this need, he and his co-founder Julian Lechner developed a concept in 2021 that combines modern veterinary practices with comprehensive, digital care. “We want to eliminate the stress of bureaucracy so that every doctor’s appointment is as uncomplicated as a visit to the hairdresser,” explains Loesing. In January, the startup will open a location at Sophienstrasse 41, directly on Rotebühlplatz. Demand is high: 650 customers are already on the waiting list for the new practice in the city center.
Between job and dog:
Stuttgart needs flexible veterinary offers
The residents of the state capital are not only among the highest earners in Germany, but are also under a lot of stress in everyday life (4). “Pet owners feel this pressure particularly. In addition to obligations such as work, family and commuting times, they have a four-legged companion to look after,” says Loesing. He knows from experience how much time it takes when furry friends get sick. “Working people need uncomplicated appointment bookings, short waiting times and results, ideally immediately after the examination. This means that a visit to the vet is not a daily appointment, but something that can be done stress-free during your lunch break or after work,” emphasizes the founder. This is exactly where Rex’s concept comes into play. The startup offers longer consultation hours, which also enable examinations after normal work hours. Appointments are conveniently booked via the app. The owner's concerns are also recorded, so that waiting times in practice are significantly reduced.
Stuttgart likes it digital –
also in animal care
From shopping to banking to dealing with authorities, almost everything can now be done online in the Swabian metropolis. The residents of the state capital expect digital solutions in all areas of life – including when it comes to caring for their four-legged friends. “In many veterinary practices, communication is still limited to the annual vaccination reminder by post, while consistent care solutions are often missing. With us, the entire administrative effort can be handled electronically,” explains the managing director. For this purpose, Rex has developed its own app, which can be used to track medical histories, invoices, appointment reminders and test results. The center of the digital concept is the electronic patient file (ePA) for pets. “Not only our doctors have access to the ePA, but also the customers themselves. This means they have all relevant information such as vaccinations and laboratory values available in real time on their smartphone,” explains Loesing. He continues: “The data is stored centrally and can be accessed at any time from all Rex locations. This means that owners do not have to explain the patient history of their furry friends every time they visit a different practice. This saves time and nerves.”
A spatial concept against animal stress?
This is what makes the practice at Rotebühlplatz different
Even beyond digitalization, Rex attaches great importance to a pleasant customer experience. The premises on Sophienstrasse will be completely rebuilt for this purpose. The interior is open and bright, with lots of wood and warm light. Separate waiting areas for dogs and cats, accompanied by calming scents and small treat stations, are designed to make the visit as stress-free as possible. “When the animals are calm, the examinations run more smoothly for the staff. So everyone involved benefits from the interior design of the practice,” explains the co-founder. “Through the combination of digitalized processes and a relaxed on-site atmosphere, we want to help Stuttgart’s owners to care for their four-legged friends in a relaxed and uncomplicated way in everyday life,” concludes Loesing.
About Rex
Rex is a startup founded in Berlin in 2021 by Jonathan Loesing and Julian Lechner. On the one hand, Rex operates its own, modern, technology-supported veterinary practices. On the other hand, Rex also offers a digital platform for pet owners for veterinary appointments, telemedicine and an electronic medical record. Rex's focus is on a pleasant customer experience, digitalized processes and first-class veterinary care. The company has already raised over five million euros from investors and aims to digitize the market for veterinary care and make it more efficient. More information at www.rex.app.
Sources:
1. https://bit.ly/4pAkXjU
2. https://bit.ly/4sCfRX3
3. https://bit.ly/49f3852
4. https://bit.ly/4bAaUrw