DING DING DING! This sounds almost like the method I first used. The second time I took Gypsy to the vet I was very scared and did LOTS of research. She still was a part time stray and had chewed her way almost out of the cardboard top loading carrier I used the first time! We had to throw a small quilt over the rapidly being shredded cardboard and putting it into a laundry basket with a towel thrown over all, with me holding it in the car. Made a rather embarrassing arrival for 1st vet visit. Since I really didn't know if she would bite or scratch I bought a hard case carrier, didn't know to get a top loader, and started researching getting her loaded. After many scary videos I ran across this one, rather anticlimactic after a few of them, but boy! did it work! It's on youtube called Blind Superman Technique, Aug 29, 2012 - Uploaded by Frederick Cat Vet. Sorry I can't get a direct link. Now-a-days we just pick her up and drop her into her top loading soft carrier with no fuss. Shes such a good girl. Good luck!Welcome to The Cat Site.And thank you for rescuing that poor little kitty.
Is she/was she a feral? Can you touch her normally? That will make a difference, to some degree. At least with her being mad at you.
I've had Ruby, my non-feral lap kitty, for just over 4 years, and she still HATES being picked up or restrained in any way. The first time trying to get her into the cat carrier for her vet appointment took many attempts and left both of us stressed. And me scratched, though thankfully no ER required.
When I told the vet about the struggle to get Ruby in the carrier, she suggested a method that miraculously works.
Put the carrier up high, like on a counter. Have it right at the edge, with the end door open. Then (this is the hard part) pick up cat and point it directly into the open door of the carrier. Because they are up high, they have nowhere to go except into the carrier to turn around. Once cat is inside, close the door.
I know that sounds easier than it actually is. But it does work! The getting the cat inside part, at least. The hard part for me is picking Ruby up. She squirms and wiggles, with all 4 legs (and claws) flying in different directions! So what I do, is put on a heavy jacket to protect my arms and body from claws. And I put on a pair of sunglasses to protect my eyes. Course I do hold her out as far from my body as I can.
This method really works. Instead of chasing her around the house trying to a) catch her and b) then get her in the carrier, and then doing it again and again, the shock of being picked up and pointed towards the carrier opening results in getting her in the carrier in less than a minute. Last appointment we arrived early!
It may not work for you, but it's definitely worth a try. Good luck.
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Hi, both 
-~> Casper doesn't do carriers either. We use a "Two-Man Scoop and Go" technique.
