Chris Moore photo Six-year-old Niko Vesco holds a gray cat named Alan at the Foothills Animal Rescue (FAR) in Cave Creek, where one of his coin-drive water bottles is located. Niko is collecting coins at various locations until August 7 to benefit FAR. Nine-month-old Alan was found abandoned, and with a broken tail, in a Phoenix apartment complex about two weeks ago.. (Click picture for full size image)

Collecting coins for critters Ambitious 6‑year‑old helps animals with fundraiser by Ambria Hammel and Chris Moore DESERT FOOTHILLS – With the “dog days of summer” upon the Valley, one Cave Creek kid created a summer project that will benefit homeless and rescued dogs and cats in his own neighborhood. Niko Vesco, a 6‑year‑old who has grown up in a house full of rescued animals, is hosting a Kids Coin Drive for the summer. Beginning in early June after kindergarten ended, Niko placed water jugs of various sizes at several Valley locations to collect donations and will give all the funds to Foothills Animal Rescue (FAR) in Cave Creek, a no‑kill, nonprofit organization that saves dogs and cats and places them in foster and adoptive homes.“ He loves animals and he feels sorry for the homeless ones when it’s so hot here,” said his mom, Monica Vesco, a long‑time FAR volunteer who helped him create the project. “This is a great way for me to stay involved with the Rescue,” she said.

Niko doesn’t know exactly how much of his own money he has contributed to the drive so far, but he has been donating the money he earns doing chores around the house–dusting, cleaning the bathroom, straightening up his room.

“I’m going to give it to poor animals so people can get them to have homes,” said Niko, who encourages other kids to do the same. The money will support rescue operations that include a thorough health check, temperament testing, immunization and microchipping provided by Animal Health Services. All cats and dogs are spayed or neutered if they have not been already. Then FAR places the animals with foster families such as the Vesco’s until the organization finds them permanent adoptive homes.

FAR currently has 175 cats and kittens as well as 40 dogs waiting for permanent homes. Niko plays with some of the cats who live at the rescue whenever he visits his mom there. “Oh, he’s very gentle. He’s very soothing,” FAR’s president Becky Didier said.

Niko knows how to play gently with the animals because they often come to his home sick or injured. Daisy, for example, a Beagle‑mix rescued by the Daisy Mountain Fire Department, had worms, ticks and a severe case of Valley fever when FAR first placed her in the Vesco home at least 11 years ago.

Vesco was told not to become too attached because the dog might have to be put down due to her failing health, but with a combination of traditional and holistic medicine she nursed Daisy back to health. The coin drive is a partial tribute to Daisy, who was lost to old age last Christmas.

“Niko’s young, but he knows a lot and he wants to do this,” said his mother. “You’re never too young to help.”

According to Didier, “He wants everyone cleaning out their drawers (looking for coins). He is expecting those jugs to be full August 7 when he collects them all.”

Collection sites for the coin drive include Foothills Animal Rescue, 37555 N. Cave Creek Road, Cave Creek; AZ Natural Health and Skin Care, 5533 E. Bell Road, #116, Phoenix;

The Document Station, 6217 E. Cave Creek Road, Cave Creek; and Bacchus Wines Made Simple, 7122 E. Greenway Parkway, Phoenix.

To arrange for the pick‑ up of a donation, call Niko at (480) 595‑6595. For more information on FAR, including its adoption service held every Saturday, call (480) 488‑9890.