In Turkey, raising livestock has an important potential in terms of providing animal protein for growing population, increasing export, providing raw material for industry, keeping a balanced development among the regions and among the sectors and the stability of development, preventing from secret unemployment, providing employment possibilities in the industry and the service sectors, and basing development financing on equity capital. Despite the fact that the change in the possession of animals in Southeast Anatolia Region shows similarity to the general picture of Turkey, a decrease which is higher than Turkey’s average has occurred. The important factors limiting raising livestock are the economically undevelopment of the region, taking place of animal production in closed economy, and increasing migration due to the terrorist events causing to leave pastures. Moreover, there are serious problems in animal improvement, caring and feeding, struggling with animal illnesses, decreases in production, organization and marketing, training, support policies, and reaching financial resources. It is necessary to improve raising livestock with a reasonable plan, strategy and support in the Southeast Anatolia Region. Carrying out a series of studies, particularly for improving raising livestock for commercial purposes, will help the region turn out to be a export center for live animals, animal product and feed. In this study, the importance of raising livestock in human nutrition and in economic structure, the changes occurring in the sector of raising livestock in the Southeast Anatolia Region will be discussed, and some suggestions will be presented in order to develop region’s raising livestock.