Once upon a time, magical animals could speak. They were not spirits or familiars, just regular beings like the rest of us.
They could hold conversations and walk around freely making mischief and going about their daily routines.
At least that was until the magical humans created laws. Several laws restricting magic in almost every way.
One of these laws was that the animals could not perform magic without being owned and being ordered to by masters. The animals became furious and caused a stir, but the humans being more in number could rule as they pleased. So much so that the animals powerful nature magic could do nothing for them.
So in the end, some submitted themselves to masters. There were a daring few who chose to disobey but they were killed on discovery.
Some chose to truly become animals ad never use magic again.
From then all was peaceful, but some animals never forgive. At the moment, the humans days are numbered.