Gracie's Place

OUR STORY

Meet Lee Stechmann!

Lee is a retired office manager from New York City, NY. He is a loving husband to his wife Nancy, a father to two children (and cat, Teddy), and a grandfather to 7 grandchildren.

Lee has always had a soft spot in his heart for cats. While he was working, he would spend his free time helping stray cats in any way they needed; taking them to vets, having them spayed/neutered, feeding them, etc. Most importantly, he gave his heart to any kitten/cat he crossed paths with. Over his years living on Long Island, he came to regularly care for a total of twenty stray cats. He provided them with food, clean water, and a warm place to sleep (which was especially important during cold, snowy New York winters). Lee has since retired and has relocated to North Carolina. Where some individuals could move and be content knowing they provided for the stray cats for ten years; Lee could not leave his cats, who he loves like a father, to fend for themselves; to find food, water and shelter. Lee purchased a mobile home nestled on a small plot of land 20 miles from his new home to give the twenty cats a forever home; a sanctuary. Lee made the long road trip to/from New York several times and personally transported all twenty cats to North Carolina. His long-term dream is to move the sanctuary, Gracie’s Place, closer to his home and to build a contained, outdoor space so the cats can enjoy in-door and out-door living. Lee regularly continues to rescue new stray cats near his home in North Carolina.