series of shots for rabies for pets

My cat has been bitten by an unknown animal, I am now required to quarantine him for 6 months because he had never been vaccinated before.  I cant afford that so i have scheduled him to be put down on monday May 16th . :(  We are so heartbroken right now. In humans if we are bitten and the animal is not found we automatically get a series of shots to prevent rabies. Is this available for my cat too??  He has no signs or nothing of rabies, its just a suspected bite from an unknown origin!! I really have no where to keep him for 6 months and cannot afford the $1600 they want to keep him at a facility.  What other options do i have. He is such a good cat. It is so unfair for him to have to lose his life over this, my heart aches, please help!! Anyone want a great cat ?? Im in maine and would even deliver him, he does not deserve to die!!  

[Aleda M Cheng, D.V.M., C.V.A]

I am very sorry about your predicament but this is a legal question and not really a medical one so I may not be able to help you sufficiently.

It does sound a bit drastic,  but why did you never have him vaccinated for Rabies?

If he can be confined at home can't you just keep him in a small area or large crate when you are not directly supervising him?   Six months confined inside is really not a long time and after the six months he will be vaccinated for Rabies and therefore protected.  

If he had been vaccinated your vet would simply have given him a rabies booster and treated for the bite.