With global population expected to exceed 9 billion by 2050, livestock and poultry genetics are critical to meeting world protein demand. Yet genetic diversity is fading: up to 30% of global livestock breeds are currently at risk and cannot be replaced if lost. This paper addresses urgent challenges in protecting remaining genetic diversity, including characterizing animal populations for conservation priorities, improving cryopreservation technology, expanding breed databases, and developing private-public partnerships among rare breed associations, universities, federal agencies, and NGOs to ensure the long-term continuity of germplasm repositories.