A local debate over Húsavík’s cat regulations has reignited after residents reported increased mouse activity in homes this autumn. The town, one of the few municipalities in Iceland to prohibit free-roaming cats, is once again in the national spotlight as pet owners question whether the ban is contributing to the problem.
Kolbrún Sara Larsen, who recently moved back to Húsavík from Akureyri, told Morgunblaðið that she had to give up her two outdoor cats when relocating, as the local bylaw forbids cats from roaming freely. “I knew about the rule before we moved, but reality hit when we found a mouse inside the house,” she said. “If cats could roam, the mice would stay away.”
Her comments sparked a lively discussion in local Facebook group, where dozens of residents shared similar experiences, some describing mice chewing through car cables and entering homes. Others, however, defended the regulation, saying it helps protect birdlife and reduces conflict between pet owners and neighbours.
Hjálmar Bogi Hafliðason, President of the Norðurþing municipal council, told Morgunblaðið there is no evidence linking the town’s cat ban to increased mouse populations. “There are mice across North Iceland this time of year, not just here. I’m not aware of any data showing more mice in Húsavík because of this rule,” he said.
The regulation, introduced in 2020, sparked national attention when it was first implemented. At the time, the decision drew both support and criticism online, with cat owners from across Iceland, and even abroad, voicing opinions. Some accused the town of being “anti-cat,” while others applauded Húsavík for taking a stance in line with wildlife protection seen in parts of Scandinavia.
Under current rules, cat owners can be fined up to 18,000 ISK if their pets are found wandering outdoors.
Despite the heated discussion, Húsavík residents continue to find creative solutions. One cat owner told reporter that her pet “enjoys fresh air safely” in a specially built outdoor enclosure. Others say they keep cats leashed or supervised in gardens, a compromise between animal welfare and local law.
Whether the town will revisit the cat policy remains unclear, but for now, the conversation, and the mice, are very much alive in Húsavík.
