Hi Judy, Welcome aboard! Glad you chose the friendliest orchid forum around (my opinion).
We have lots of folks using lights in various ways and a special forum just for that purpose -
http://www.orchidboard.com/community...-under-lights/ so when you have a chance, why not read through some of the threads and get a sense of what's being discussed. The number one contested topic is style and type of lights. There is a lot of valuable information and opinion and experience here. Hope you jump right in with your background.
BTW, Cats fit in just fine with lights. Just depends on getting lights strong enough. Ask away.