You will be given a trivia clue, and the category it belongs to. You should answer with the best answer that belongs in the category and is described by the clue. For simplicity, answers should be in all lower cased letters.
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Question: Category: LITERARY OBJECTS 
Clue: In literature from the 1200s to today, it has been depicted as a type of dish, a talismanic stone & a woman

Answer: the holy grail


Question: Category: U.S. GOVERNMENT 
Clue: This group that first met in 1942 didn't get a permanent chairman until 1949

Answer: the joint chiefs of staff


Question: Category: ANIMALS 
Clue: For 2006, between Oct. 25 & Nov. 1, the Los Angeles SPCA, like many other shelters, banned adoption of these

Answer:
black cats