Animal control officers on Wednesday seized more than two dozen cats and kittens from a motel room in Northwest Roanoke.

The officers, acting on a tip, found 26 felines in a room at Starlite Motor Lodge in the 4800 block of Melrose Avenue, said police spokeswoman Aisha Johnson.

The animals were taken to the Regional Center for Animal Control and Protection, where veterinarians with the Roanoke Valley SPCA are checking them for any health issues.

The cats and kittens appear to be well cared for, said Bill Watson, executive director of the Roanoke Valley SPCA.

"When you have this kind of hoarding situation ... you always expect the worst," he said.

The SPCA is working to get the animals out of the regional center and into foster or adoptive homes, Watson said. It has already found foster homes for all the kittens, but the staff is hoping that the animals will be adopted.

Watson estimated there are 18 to 20 kittens. One family has already offered to adopt three.

Angels of Assisi is caring for four of the adult cats, Watson said.

Police issued nine summonses to Laura Anne Edwards, 34, of Roanoke, Johnson said. Eight are for not having rabies vaccinations, and one is for violating limitations on keeping cats.

It is illegal in the city to have more than four cats that are not neutered or spayed, or six cats that are sterile.

-- Amanda Codispoti and Jorge Valencia