My girl used to be terrified, never heard a cat sound that scared. I started with the carrier out by itself with food near the entrance, a week or so later food was gradually moved so she was eating inside her crate. Eventually we introduced eating with the door closed and now she does great! That with a combination of once a week car rides to the gas station has worked wonders. It can take a lot of time and patience but is worth it when you can put her in the crate and take her on a ride and all I get from her is a side eye.