Authorities have been urged to introduce cash incentives for pet owners who get animals spayed or neutered.
The organisers of Spay Week Ireland are also seeking an Australian-style system where it is mandatory to have microchips implanted in pets in an effort to enforce licencing laws.
It's estimated that Ireland's dog population is more than 500,000 yet fewer than 200,000 of these are licensed. Thousands of unwanted dogs and cats are destroyed every year.
Spay Week organiser and television vet Pete Wedderburn said the most effective way to tackle the crisis is to follow the example set by the Australian state of New South Wales.
"Their scheme works by charging a fee of 100 dollars for a lifetime licence for an intact bitch or dog, but just 35 dollars for a spayed or neutered animal," he said.
"Owners are required by law to provide their pets with microchip implants, making it possible to effectively enforce licensing legislation."
Earlier this year, the Irish Kennel Club introduced compulsory microchipping of all pups from January 1st.