More than 100 cats and kittens from Save Our Cats and Kittens will board a free flight from Destin Executive Airport on Aug. 6, bound for Maryland and a better chance at finding permanent homes.

• The 110 animals will be transported by Dog Is My CoPilot, a nonprofit that has flown tens of thousands of animals from overcrowded shelters since 2012 at no cost.

Upon arrival, the cats will be taken in by Last Chance Animal Rescue, which adopts out about 130 cats and kittens per week through partnerships with more than 30 PetSmart and Petco stores in the region.

The flight is intended to relieve overcrowding at SOCKS, the Fort Walton Beach-based cat rescue, and open space for additional animals in need. The cats will receive continued care before becoming available for adoption.

“Every cat we load onto that flight is a life we were able to say yes to, and every life we say yes to means another cage opens up for the next desperate call we take, the next kitten or cat who has nowhere else to turn,” said Nancy Schimmer, executive director of SOCKS. “The demand we face for cat and kitten intake is overwhelming, and every single kennel matters.”

Schimmer said she hopes the partnership will grow into an ongoing relationship that could eventually help place adoptable kittens found during SOCKS’ trap, neuter and return work into a waiting adoption network.

“Partnering with organizations like SOCKS ensures more animals waiting in overcrowded shelters have the opportunity to find loving homes,” said Dr. Peter Rork, president and chief pilot of Dog Is My CoPilot. “We believe collaboration is the key to saving more lives, and we are continually inspired by the dedication of our shelter and rescue partners.”

Last Chance Animal Rescue takes in animals from multiple states, including Delaware, Georgia, Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, Mississippi and Virginia.

Cindy Sharpley, the rescue’s president, credited the SOCKS team with preparing the animals for the journey.

“The local shelters don’t have the manpower or funding to keep kitties healthy to prepare them for adoption,” Sharpley said. “You guys, through some miracle of funding and manpower, you guys have pulled it together.”