Politicians and their pets: Meghan Gallacher

The Scottish Conservative MSP for the Central Scotland region introduces us to her parrot Odin

Breed?  Indian Ringneck Parrot

Age? Two  

How long have you had him? 

Since October 2020 (eight months).

Where did you get him? 

I adopted Odin as his previous pet parent couldn’t take care of him.

What do you love about him? 

Odin is really playful and has a lovely personality. It has been a joy to watch him grow and he is already beginning to mimic whistles. I don’t think it will be long before he starts talking.  

What special talents does he have? 

Odin is brilliant at hide and seek. We can leave the room for two minutes and he will have already picked the best hiding place. It once took me and my fiancé half an hour to find him. 

What are his most annoying habits? 
High pitched screams when my fiancé and I leave a room without taking him with us.

What’s the worst thing he’s done?

Odin is going through his terrible twos stage, where he tries to scratch the carpet and screams when he does not get what he wants. 

Do you think of yourself as a pet parent or pet owner? 

A parent.

What’s the most ridiculous thing you have bought or done for your pet? 

I bought Odin a shopping trolley which is one of his favourite toys – he loves to throw toys in and out of the trolley. 

What’s your first pet or animal-related memory? 

My dad used to work in a zoo, so I have always been brought up around animals. I think that is where I get my ‘adopt, don’t shop’ attitude as many animals were taken in as their owners could no longer care for them.

I have also bred budgies which we adopted from the zoo. It was an incredible experience as a young child being able to watch the baby birds grow. 

What was the first pet you ever had?

A hamster called Jasmine.

What would be your dream pet? 

It would have to be Odin.

If you could be any animal what would you be? 

Probably a dolphin.