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Table of contents
Summary
With its “Web-based Animal Patient Documentation” project, Exolynk not only won awards but also transformed care practices in wildlife rescue centers. The result: 50 % more donations and over 1,000 hours of administrative effort saved annually.
Behind the Scenes of an Award-Winning Project
At the 2025 Best of Swiss Web Award, Exolynk founders Philippe Theis and Robert Schütte received two Silver awards for their project “Web-based Animal Patient Documentation,” developed for Igelhilfe Schweiz. In their Winner Talk, they shared insights into the success of this innovation.
From Paper Chaos to Digital Records – and +50 % Donations
The founders explained how their MVP approach led to a tool that not only reduced administrative burdens but also increased donation rates significantly. Their talk covered the entire journey – from kickoff to real-world impact and key takeaways.
Starting Point – Too Much Paper, Too Little Time
Each rescued animal was documented manually – over 500 files per year. These records had to be manually entered into Excel for regulatory reporting, consuming time and energy better spent on animal care. Administration overwhelmed the core mission.
Objective – Less Bureaucracy, More Animal Care
The goal was clear: develop a digital solution that minimizes administrative work and fulfills the growing requirements of veterinary authorities. The system should free up caregivers to focus on what really matters: helping animals.
Implementation – MVP as a Success Factor
The project followed an MVP (Minimum Viable Product) strategy: fast, focused on user needs, and iteratively improved. Initial features targeted key pain points, such as tracking medication. Feedback loops enabled quick and targeted enhancements.
Aha Moment – Fundraising as a Bonus
An unexpected benefit emerged: with time freed up, staff could return to fundraising. A new feature was developed – automated, personalized updates to animal finders. The structured data now supported this directly, and donations surged.
Results – Significant Gains in Time and Donations
The system saved over 1,000 administrative hours per year. Donations rose 30–50 % thanks to better engagement with donors. Structured data also enabled AI-based care recommendations and injury analytics – benefits extending beyond care into conservation.
Technology – Low-Code, AI and Web Accessibility
The solution runs on Exolynk’s Low-Code platform, allowing rapid customization with minimal coding. It includes features like AI-supported treatment suggestions and is available as a responsive web app – accessible in the field or in clinics.
Learnings – Embracing Flexibility
Adopting an MVP mindset required careful expectation management. Not all features were available at once, but transparent communication and early visible benefits built trust. The team’s openness to adapt – such as integrating fundraising – drove the project’s success.
Conclusion – From Project to Product
In just one year, the digital animal record system became the de facto standard in wildlife care. Success came from focusing on real needs, staying flexible, and involving users closely. This case shows what digital transformation can achieve in non-profit settings.
What started as initial paper chaos has turned into a true success story – with real innovation, the scale of which no one could have imagined at the beginning.
What makes all project participants especially proud: Within just one year, the solution has essentially become the de facto standard for digital wildlife care and is now being used by many other organizations in Switzerland and Germany
Article Netzwoche
Winners share their secrets
Three winning teams from this year’s edition of Best of Swiss Web shared behind-the-scenes insights into their projects during the Winner Talk. They not only discussed potential challenges, but also highlighted the key factors that make a project a winner.
