> No one who considers themselves interested in the inner lives of animals, the wonders and mysteries of the natural world, can eat cephalopods in good conscience.

The article never says other animals are less deserving of care. The author is just particularly interested in octopus, and is appealing to the trait of intelligence.

(FWIW, I eat meat and think squid are delicious. Just posting a related link to see what discussion comes of it.)