A leading animal charity has raised concerns about what it described as the soaring levels of abandoned dogs across the country.
Figures from the Department of Rural and Community Development also show that the number of dogs being euthanised in pounds has doubled.
Dogs Trust said the number of stray dogs entering Irish pounds has increased by 95%.
Spokesperson Corina Fitzsimons said that last year 7,352 stray dogs entered pounds in what she said was an "unwanted dog crisis."
Speaking on RTÉ's Morning Ireland, she also said more than 2,000 people have contacted Dogs Trust so far this year trying to surrender their dogs.
She said dogs being put down in Irish pounds has doubled, with 340 dogs "put to sleep" in dog pounds last year and there are fears that figure will be much higher this year.
Under the Control of Dogs Act, dogs who have completed their mandatory five-day stay in a pound can be euthanised to create space if they cannot be rehomed or accommodated in a rescue centre.
Ms Fitzsimons said people are having a lot of difficulty trying to find rental accommodation that will accept pets, while others are struggling to keep dogs with higher cost of living prices.
She also said if people have behavioural issues with dogs they offer online training classes, as she said they are trying to keep as many dogs happy in their existing homes.
