This article examines the emergence of animal history as a new subdiscipline following the «animal turn» in the humanities. The methodological basis of the article is based on the analysis of Western Anglophone literature in the field of historical research, such as animal history, which studies the past through the prism of human-animal relations. The authors analyze methodological challenges in studying animals as historical subjects, exploring the concept of «animal archives» through critical reinterpretation of sources. That is the paper discusses approaches to overcoming anthropocentrism, recognizing animals as historical actors and their «agency», and addressing issues of animal «voice» in historical sources. Special attention is given to interdisciplinary approaches to reading sources incorporating ethology, indigenous knowledge, and non-textual sources. It helps to show, through examples from imperial and colonial history, how animals functioned not merely as objects but as active participants in historical processes. By showcasing how animals served as economic resources, symbols of power, and instruments of colonization, the article offers interpretative possibilities for Kazakhstani historical scholarship and demonstrates the potential of this approach for deeper understanding of imperial pasts and human-animal relationships.