jellicle cats - the "What do?" edition

I think I posted about this on friendslock earlier this year: there's a second cat in my home now. He's young--about a year old, the vet said. And he is not at all like my other cat, who is now seventeen.

So: any ideas on how to keep a young and active cat happy? He can't play with the older cat for several reasons, including that she simply wants nothing to do with him. Letting him outside unsupervised is a good way to end up with dead cat around here; NextDoor is happy to tell me just how many coyote, bobcat and sick fox sightings there have been in my area. (To be clear: only one sighting of a sick fox. Regular sightings of coyotes and bobcats, though.) Also, while I would have no problem with fewer rabbits--they eat my garden!--I feel less pleased with the thought of dead birds.

The last time I had young cats, there were two of them; they played with each other. I'm not sure how I feel about taking in yet another cat, but it might be the route to take. On the other hand, this young cat has to have a special diet; it would be difficult to have another cat in the home and keep him away from their food.

let's second guess this right from the start!

So if you're reading fanfic, do you have any preference: past tense or present tense? I've been writing in present tense for a while now, but I'm wondering what y'all prefer to read.