Need help with complex character rigging

[LittleFenris]

I would appreciate some help from experienced users with proper character rigging. I have this cat that I want to animate, but not sure how to setup the rig properly. I am not entirely sure how to setup the layers so I can add the bones in an efficient manner. He has a few extra moving parts that a human character might not normally have, like his long tail and both ears. I would also like to have it so I can use switch layers to change his hands to different positions (and a set of hands that have boned fingers as well). I would also like to have his clothing sway around as he moves (maybe using dynamics). Right now I have all the bones in one layer, which is most likely wrong, thats why I'm asking for help. I would like to setup the character right the first time.

Thanks for any help.