Laurie,

You got some great advice here. PayItForward hit the nail right on the head.

Some cats can be overstimulated. Their way of showing they don't like it is to scratch, bite, hiss and growl. I might suggest Rescue Remedy. It's an all natural herb that helps calms cats down. I've used it and can highly recommend it.

Holding kitty by the scruff of the neck is not a good idea. For a kitten, yes. But a grown cat, no.