Animal Welfare
The primary objective of the Unit is to enhance activities in the field of animal welfare, a key element for ensuring the sustainability of livestock production and improving the management of stray animals. Additionally, the Unit aims to embed environmental sustainability and circular economy principles into its core activities, with the ambition of establishing the Institute as a reference point in these priority areas.
The Unit is committed to enhancing activities in the field of animal welfare, which are essential for the sustainability of livestock production and the management of stray animal populations. Additionally, the focus on environmental sustainability and the circular economy is systematically integrated, with the goal of establishing the Institute as a reference point in these fields of interest. Scientific research is conducted through projects of significant importance at both national and international levels. Nationally, the Unit engages in current, targeted, and strategic research, while internationally, it participates in EU co-funded projects such as EUPAHW, EFSA initiatives, and EUROCAW-Care4Dairy. The dissemination of research findings occurs through publications in national and international journals and participation in conferences, seminars, and workshops.
The Unit also plays a key role in training activities at both national and international levels, covering critical areas such as animal welfare (for both farmed and laboratory animals), the human-animal relationship (e.g., dog population management), animal experimentation in compliance with Italian Legislative Decree 26/2014, and environmental sustainability. The team members regularly attend and deliver lectures, courses, and presentations to share expertise.
Furthermore, the Unit provides consultancy services to public and private organisations at national and international levels in the fields of animal welfare, the human-animal relationship, and animal experimentation.
Finally, there is strong collaboration with other units within the Institute, other Istituti Zooprofilattici Sperimentali (IZS), universities, research centres, and national and international organisations. Through these collaborations, the Unit develops joint projects and shares knowledge and experience across different contexts.
- + - Our Research
-
- + - Head
-
Michele Podaliri Vulpiani
Head
He graduated in Veterinary Medicine from the University of Bologna in 1994. He has completed various postgraduate qualifications, including an advanced course in veterinary gynaecology and artificial insemination, and a specialisation in buiatrics (bovine medicine). He is currently a member of the scientific staff at the European Union Reference Centre for the Welfare of Ruminants and Equines (EURCAW-RE).
He graduated in Veterinary Medicine from the University of Bologna in 1994. He has completed various postgraduate qualifications, including an advanced course in veterinary gynaecology and artificial insemination, and a specialisation in buiatrics (bovine medicine). He is currently a member of the scientific staff at the European Union Reference Centre for the Welfare of Ruminants and Equines (EURCAW-RE).
He has been working at the Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell’Abruzzo e del Molise since 1996 and currently serves as Head of the Animal Welfare Unit, where he coordinates research projects and operational activities related to animal welfare.
He has extensive experience in teaching and training, having served as a lecturer in numerous national and international courses and seminars. He is also actively involved in research, with publications focusing on animal welfare, infectious diseases, and the use of animals in scientific research.
-
- + - Selected papers
-
Animal Welfare Assessment in Antibiotic-Free and Conventional Broiler Chicken
Iannetti, L., Romagnoli, S., Cotturone, G., & Podaliri Vulpiani, M. (2021). Animals, 11(10), 2822.
Factors related to longevity and mortality of dogs in Italy
Roccaro, M., Salini, R., Pietra, M., Sgorbini, M., Gori, E., Dondi, M., Crisi, P. E., Conte, A., Dalla Villa, P., Podaliri, M., Ciaramella, P., Di Palma, C., Passantino, A., Porciello, F., Gianella, P., Guglielmini, C., Alborali, G. L., Rota Nodari, S., Sabatelli, S., & Peli, A. (2024). Preventive veterinary medicine, 225, 106155.
Assessment of Welfare in Groups of Horses with Different Management, Environments and Activities by Measuring Cortisol in Horsehair, Using Liquid Chromatography Coupled to Hybrid Orbitrap High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry
Cerasoli, F., Podaliri Vulpiani, M., Saluti, G., Conte, A., Ricci, M., Savini, G., & D'Alterio, N. (2022). Animals : an open access journal from MDPI, 12(14), 1739.
Animal welfare and microbiological safety of poultry meat: Impact of different at-farm animal welfare levels on at- slaughterhouse Campylobacter and Salmonella contamination.
Iannetti, L., Neri, D., Santarelli, G.A., Cotturone, G., Podaliri Vulpiani, M., Salini, R., Antoci, S., Di Serafino, G., Di Giannatale, E., Pomilio, F., Messori, S. (2020) Food Control, 109
-
