In our country, Nepal, animal husbandry has been a profession of economic, social, religious and cultural importance since ancient times. The attempt to institutionalize the animal husbandry business seems to have begun with the opening of a dispensary in Kathmandu by a foreign doctor according to the homeopathic system for the protection of the advanced animals in the palace.

Thereafter, there has been a gradual expansion and modernization of animal services. In this process, a veterinary dispensary was established for the first time in Kathmandu in 1996 according to the allopathic system, the dispensary was converted into a veterinary hospital in 1997, with the aim of combating the outbreak of Gaugoti disease, veterinary hospitals were established in 10 districts by 2014, however, as the need for animal health services was increasing, 33 veterinary hospitals, 21 dispensaries and 18 check posts were established nationwide with the help of India, FAO/OXFAM by 2021 and six animal development farms were also opened at the same time. The above-mentioned institutions established for animal services were placed under the then Department of Agriculture.

BS. In 2023, the Department of Animal Development and Animal Health was established and a coordinated animal development program was implemented with the aim of bringing animal health, animal feed, animal breeding and animal husbandry management services to the doorsteps of farmers in an integrated manner since the Fifth Five Year Plan. Through this department, efforts were made to supply advanced livestock to various geographical areas, establish animal development farms and provide animal health services to the general public in an affordable manner.

In BS 2029, the Department of Animal Development and Animal Health was merged with the Department of Agriculture to coordinate all agricultural activities. In the meantime, after the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development was formed in BS 2031, these departments became departments under the Ministry of Agriculture. Realizing the shortage in animal services to meet the growing demand of animal husbandry, the Department of Animal Development and Animal Health (later renamed the Department of Animal Services) was reorganized in BS 2036. After that, animal service offices, service centers at the rural level, strengthening of laboratories and farms and some new farms were established in all 75 districts. Divisions and branches were formed at the central level to support the animal service program.

In BS 2049, the Department of Agriculture Development was formed again, including all the service bodies in the agricultural sector. After that, realizing the complexity in the management side and the laxity in the service, the Department of Animal Services was formed again under the Ministry of Agriculture Development on Shravan 1, 2052. The Ministry of Animal Development was formed as per the decision of the Government of Nepal (Council of Ministers) dated 2072/9/9, and was renamed as the Ministry of Livestock Development as per the decision dated 2072/9/17.